Motungārara Island / Fishermans Island
Interactive map of Motungārara Island / Fishermans Island | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°53′12″S 174°54′02″E / 40.88668°S 174.90067°E |
| Administration | |
New Zealand | |
Motungārara Island / Fishermans Island, also known as Hiko's Island, Lewis's Island, or Rangihiroa's Island,[1] is an offshore islet in the Rauoterangi Channel, between Kapiti Island and the North Island.
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "lizard island" for Motungārara.[2]
Geography
Motungārara Island / Fishermans Island is unlike its neighbouring islands, Tokomāpuna Island / Aeroplane Island and Tahoramaurea Island / Browns Island, in that it contains two clusters of buildings on the north end of the island; this includes one dwelling and associated accessory buildings. However, it still retains a high level of natural character, yet this is lower than the aforementioned islands and nearby Kapiti Island.
Motungārara Island / Fishermans Island is surrounded by considerable submerged platforms. The island, as well as Tahoramaurea Island / Browns Island, is located on the terrane boundary between the Rakaia and Waipapa terranes.[3]
Ecology
Like its neighbouring islands, Motungārara Island / Fishermans Island is an ecosite, and vegetation is mainly native, with exceptions regarding occasional species, such as boneseed and non-natural karo.[3]
History
The island was one of the many signing locations of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Ariel, carrying the treaty, sailed from Whanganui to Motungārara Island / Fishermans Island. There, on 4 June 1940, Te Rangihiroa (younger brother of Te Pēhi Kupe) and Te Ohu, who together occupied a partly fortified village on the island,[1] signed the treaty, being the last two signatories of the Cook Strait (Henry Williams) copy. Henry Williams and Octavius Hadfield witnessed the signatures.[4]
At one point, the island contained a shore whaling station under the command of Captain William[5] Lewis, an American whaler, and his brother.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Motungārara Island / Fishermans Island". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
- ^ "1000 Māori place names". NZ History. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ a b Orpin, Alan; Thompson, David; O’Callaghan, Joe; Neill, Kate; Sievwright, Karin; Girvan, Rhys; Wilson, Hannah; McAuslan, Brian (7 May 2024). "Kāpiti Coast Natural Character Evaluation" (PDF). NIWA; Boffa Miskell. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
- ^ "Motungārara, 4 June 1840". NZ History. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^ "Aitcheson, Muriel Mavis, fl 1968-1974 : We in our small corner; a brief history of the Lewis-McKain-Torr family". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 8 February 2026.