Motuihe Island, Auckland Overview

Motuihe Island is located in the Hauraki Gulf in New Zealand. It lies near Auckland and is sandwiched between Motutapu and Waiheke islands. The island's name has been derived from the word “Te Motu a Ihenga”, which in the Maori dialect means “the island of the Ihengas.” Spread over 440 acres, Motuihe Island is known for its beautiful beaches and a few coastal forests. The sprawling stretch of the beach is lined with trees native to the area, on the branches of which dwells the Tuatara - a species of lizard native to New Zealand. The beauty of the beaches is amplified by crystal clear water that crash onto the white sandy shore.

Over the years, collective efforts have been channelised into making this area free of pests and maintaining the pristine surroundings of the island.
Motuihe Island is a renowned camping site and is a fantastic place for picnics. Another star attraction of the area is bird spotting and wildlife watching. Furthermore, there are many adventures like kayaking, canoeing, boating, fishing and swimming. Interestingly, this site was earlier used as a quarantine station and naval training base. Motuihe Island is controlled by the Department of Conservation and the Motuihe Trust. These entities organise training camps and encourage locals to volunteer to come up and actively take part in the conservation of the island.

Camping

Motuihe Island is an amazing coastal campsite and inhabits Kiwis, Kakariki, Saddleback and Shore skink.
Reach the camp through a boat.
Camping on this island requires online pre-booking as there are only forty-eight tents.
The camps offer adequate toilet facilities.
Sufficient supply of tap water. It is recommended to boil the water for at least three to four minutes before drinking.
The visitors need to strictly follow the seasonal guidelines.
Fires and fireworks are not allowed. However, gas cookers can be utilized for cooking.
Dogs are strictly prohibited.
Clean your shoes and gear before and after visiting Kauri Forest and stay away from the Kauri roots.
Choose from the five campsite zones - Confidence Course, Parade Ground, Captain’s Camping, Puriri Ridge and the Range.
No transportation facility is available on the island to help you in shifting/transferring/getting camping equipment.
The campsite doesn’t provide for barbeques, fireplaces or cooking shelters.
There is no power supply at Motuihe Island Campsite. Bring your own lighting equipment like a torch.
Littering is not allowed as there are on dustbins on Motuihe Island.
Entry fee -
Adult (18+ years) - NZD 8 per night
Child (5 - 17 years) - NZD 4 per night
Infant (0 - 4 years) - free

Best time to visit

Motuihe Island is great in all seasons and is good to visit at any time of the year.

Things to Note

There is proper access to toilets.
Dogs are strictly not allowed on the island.
Check your gear for rodents.
Clean footwear for soil and seeds as a measure against Kauri Dieback Disease.
Ensure gear is zipped up.
Check kayaks for pests.
Do not carry open carry bags as it would attract rodents.
You can also book a slot to have a wedding function here.
Carry your own mosquito and insect repellant.
Wear good quality, comfortable, clean and durable shoes.
Carry your own food, drinks and water as you won’t get anything here to feed your tummy. However, on weekends you will find “kiosk” near the ocean beach where you can buy ice creams and drinks.
Do not go near the watchtower as it is hazardous. Don’t cross the fence.
Source

History

Motuihe Island was initially used by Maoris for settlement purposes only. Maru Iwi was the first tribe to settle here. The Europeans soon followed. The island was also used as a quarantine station a number of times - in 1872 when a ship brought smallpox to Auckland Harbour, in 1892 an animal quarantine station was established and in 1918 when there was influenza epidemic the island was again turned into a quarantine station.

Motuihe island was turned into an internment camp and a navy training camp after world war two. Now, Motuihe Island Recreation Reserve protects and preserves the identity of the place as a part of New Zealand’s rich historical and cultural heritage that is entwined in ecological biodiversity.

How To Reach Motuihe Island

Reach the Motuihe island from a ferry which is a thirty minute trip from Auckland. The ferry service is however very limited and is available only from October to April.
You can also do a private charter.
Many tourists hire seaplanes to get to Motuihe Island. Make sure that the operator is a reliable one.
People who are experienced in kayaking reach the Wharf Bay in two to two and a half hours. You can always book a guided kayak tour or hire your own kayak. The latter is advisable only if you are very skilled at it and are well acquainted with the water. Check with Auckland Sea Kayaks for more.