Rotoroa Island

A few things that tourists should experience at Rotoroa Island are:

• The chapel- interestingly, it has 48 steps, signifying the 48 steps to recovery from addiction.

• The Jail House where drunk inmates were left to recover from the intoxication.

• The 1860s School House that is now a tea house and community’s old buttery.

• See the monumental artwork by eminent New Zealand sculptor, Chris Booth.

• Walk on the 4 beaches on the island. Visitors can picnic and swim there.

• Exhibition centre

• The cemetery that has a view of the Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel, and Ponui Island.

• Mast from the Vessel Tiri II and Hauraki’s pirate radio ship that was decommissioned on the island.

• Fishing at Home Bay

• Guided walks of Rotoroa Island that take place throughout the day

The island is located on the east of Waiheke in New Zealand and has no permanent population. It is an 82 hectare (200 acres) island with a plain terrain even though there are a few hills around the island, especially near the wildlife sanctuary. The island has beaches as well. During the summers at Rotoroa that is from March-June, the temperatures range from 15-20° C while the winters are around 6-8° C. Rainfall is very common and frequent in Rotoroa.

In 1911, the Salvation Army established this island as an alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre. That is when the jailhouse and chapel were founded. Here, over 12000 New Zealanders were treated and this island is still known to be the longest running alcohol and drug treatment centre. In 2005, the Salvation Army decided to demolish the treatment centre and open it for other purposes. Since then, the Salvation Army along with dedicated partners and volunteers have been working together in order to maintain and preserve this unique wildlife sanctuary.

Rotoroa Island is known for the diversity of its wildlife sanctuary. This place mostly includes endangered species such as New Zealand Oddities, Kiwi origins, skinks, reptiles, takehes and other endangered birds. Rotoroa Island focuses more on shorebirds and translocated species such as tieke (Saddleback), popokatea (Whitehead), shore and moko skinks and pateke (brown teal). These species are preserved under the Auckland Zoo and Department of conservation. Further details into the kind of endangered species that are preserved here can be found at the wildlife sanctuary itself where visitors can enrol for guided tours and learn about the conservation of these species.

A huge amount of efforts have been made to preserve the wildlife on this island. This is mainly with the efforts of the Philanthropist association along with volunteers and partners who work hard to maintain this place. Conservation efforts include weed management, Regeneration and pest control programme. In order to continue making this place accessible to the public, the following rules are laid out to visitors:

• Visitors should carry clean walking shoes, sunblock and a hat

• Visitors should carry food and snacks even though those amenities are available

• on the island.

• Visitors should bring their own swimming gears and towels

• New facilities such as free barbeques are available for tourists.

• Non-biodegradable items such as plastic, styrofoam etc. should be avoided. However, if visitors to carry them, they are requested to hold on to them until they return and not dispose of them on the island.

• The island is known for its heritage and conservation. Visitors are requested to maintain the level of preservation.

• Pets are not allowed on this island.

• Bikes are not allowed.

• Visitors should check their bags for insects, rodents, etc.

• A pest eradication programmes go on quite often so camping is not permitted then. Hence, visitors wishing to camp should speak to the agency prior to planning their trip.