Mōtītī Island facts for kids
Aerial view of Mōtītī Island
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 Mōtītī Island
Location in New Zealand
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Bay of Plenty |
| Coordinates | 37°37′33″S 176°25′20″E / 37.6257°S 176.4221°E |
| Total islands | 1 |
| Major islands | 1 |
| Area | 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 57 m (187 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 27 (2006) |
| Pop. density | 2.7 /km2 (7 /sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Māori |
Mōtītī Island is a small island located in the Bay of Plenty, off the coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is about 11 kilometers (7 miles) north-east of Papamoa Beach and 22 kilometers (14 miles) north-east of Tauranga. In 2006, 27 people lived in 18 homes on the island.
Contents
Island Geography and Life
Mōtītī Island is a fairly flat island, covering about 10 square kilometers (3.9 square miles). It is mostly made of volcanic rocks from a long time ago, with newer soil covering some parts in the south.
The main activity on the island is farming, especially growing avocados. Most people who live on or visit the island travel by plane.
Island Ownership and Services
Mōtītī Island is privately owned, meaning there are no public areas like wharves. This makes it a bit tricky and costly to get to the island. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council helps manage the island. However, there is no local city council responsible for Mōtītī. This means residents do not pay local taxes (called rates) and do not get typical council services. The Department of Internal Affairs handles the day-to-day running of the island.
History and Culture of Mōtītī Island
Early History and Captain Cook
On November 2, 1769, Captain James Cook sailed close to Mōtītī Island during his first voyage. He wrote in his journal that he saw many fortified villages, which were the largest he had seen so far. He called the island "Flat Island."
Recent Events and the MV Rena
On October 5, 2011, a large container ship called the MV Rena hit Astrolabe Reef, which is about seven kilometers (4.3 miles) north of Mōtītī Island. This caused an oil spill, and oil, containers, and their contents washed up on the island's shores.
In October 2013, the owners of the MV Rena offered to fund development projects for Mōtītī Island. In return, they wanted to leave the ship's wreckage where it was. The people living on Mōtītī Island decided not to accept this offer.
The proposed projects included:
- Building a special landing spot for barges (flat-bottomed boats).
- Creating a one-lane road that could be used in all weather to reach the airstrip.
- Putting up a new cell phone tower to make communication better.
- Running an underground power cable from the mainland to improve electricity.
- Placing a permanent light beacon on Astrolabe Reef.
- Building a memorial from the ship's anchor to remember the Rena event.
Later, on October 9, 2011, another boat called the M/V Excalibur got stuck on Mōtītī Island during bad weather. All six crew members were rescued, but the boat was completely lost.
Marae: Important Meeting Places
The island has two marae, which are special meeting places for the Ngāti Awa sub-tribes (hapū) of Te Patuwai and Ngati Maumoana. These marae are:
- Te Hinga o te Ra (also known as Te Karioi Marae) and its meeting house.
- Te Rua Kopiha Marae and its meeting house, Tamatea ki te Huatahi.
In October 2020, the New Zealand Government provided $4,871,246 from the Provincial Growth Fund to help upgrade 12 marae, including Te Rua Kopiha Marae. This funding was expected to create 23 jobs for people in the area.
Island Travel: The Aerodrome
Sunair operates flights from Mōtītī Island to Tauranga using Cessna 172 aircraft. This is a common way for people to travel to and from the island.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Motiti para niños
