Rangitoto Island

Rangitoto Island is situated 8 km northeast of Auckland and is connected to Motutapu Island by a causeway. It is 2311 hectares with a unique volcanic landscape and features 200 species of moss, plants and trees, including the largest Pōhutukawa forest in the world. 

Rangitoto Island was purchased by the Crown in 1854 and set aside as a recreation reserve in 1890.

In 2018, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Tribal Trust claimed rangatiratanga through the Supreme Court, to conduct commercial tours on Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands.

In the mid 1910's, baches begun to be erected on Rangitoto Island. In 1937, the government prohibited the issuing of new bach leases, declared that existing leases would expire in 20 years and owners would have to remove their buildings from the island. Between the 1960's and 1980's, approximately 50 baches on Rangitoto were torn down and burnt. What remains are concrete steps that lead nowhere, fireplaces and coal-range surrounds, a tub and the cistern of a long-drop toilet.

In 1991, the Department of Conservation declared a moratorium on bach removal. In 1997, the Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust (RIHCT) was established to advocate for and prevent the demolition of the remaining 37 heritage baches on the island. Thus far they have restored three baches, which can be rented by the public and one bach has been turned into a museum. The RIHCT won a UNESCO Heritage Conservation Award for their efforts.