Rangitoto Channel facts for kids

The Rangitoto Channel is a waterway located in the Hauraki Gulf, near Auckland, New Zealand. It sits close to the entrance of the Waitematā Harbour. This channel is very important because it is the only deep path for large ships, like container cargo ships and passenger cruise liners, to reach the Auckland Port.

The channel lies between Rangitoto Island, which is a volcano, and the East Coast Bays of North Shore city.

Making the Channel Deeper

The Rangitoto Channel was made deeper in 2004. Before this, it was 11.2 meters deep. After the work, it became 12.5 meters deep. The process happened in two main steps. First, workers used machines to dig out hard rock from the channel floor. They did not need to use explosives for this part. After the hard rock was removed, they then took out softer material. All the material that was dug up from the channel was used to create new land at Fergusson Wharf.

Images for kids

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  The Rangitoto Channel, looking west towards the North Shore from Rangitoto Island.

See also

In Spanish: Canal de Rangitoto para niños