Takangaroa Island facts for kids

Takangaroa Island is a small, special island located in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand. It is one of two islands called the Mayne Islands, and it sits close to Kawau Island. Takangaroa Island is about 6 hectares in size. That's roughly the size of 15 football fields!

What's in a Name?

The name "Takangaroa" comes from the Māori language, which is the language of the native people of New Zealand. In Māori, "Takangaroa" means "The Long Casting of the Net."

There's another island nearby called Rabbit Island, which has a Māori name too: Takangariki. This name means "The Short Casting of the Net." People say that the two islands, along with some rocky reefs between them, look like a fishing net with its buoys. It's a cool way to imagine the islands!

From Goat Island to Takangaroa

For a while, Takangaroa Island was known by a different name: "Goat Island." However, this caused some confusion because there's another very popular place called Goat Island Marine Reserve. To make sure people knew which island was which, the name was officially changed back to its Māori name, Takangaroa.

Island History and Protection

In the late 1800s, Takangaroa Island was owned by a very important person named Sir George Grey. He was a former Governor-General of New Zealand. A Governor-General is like a representative of the King or Queen in a country.

Today, Takangaroa Island is privately owned, meaning it belongs to an individual or a group, not the government. It is also a special place called a Wildlife Sanctuary. This means it's a protected area where animals and plants can live safely. To keep the wildlife safe, certain rules are in place: no dogs, no cats, and no guns are allowed on the island. This helps protect the native birds and other creatures that call Takangaroa home.