Tokomāpuna Island / Aeroplane Island
Interactive map of Tokomāpuna Island / Aeroplane Island | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°52′49″S 174°55′37″E / 40.8803°S 174.9270°E |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Tokomāpuna Island / Aeroplane Island, also known as Evan's Island[1] or Hummock Island,[2] is an uninhabited islet located off the west coast of the lower North Island of New Zealand and off the east coast of Kapiti Island, in the Rauoterangi Channel.
Geography
Tokomāpuna Island / Aeroplane Island is largely intact with limited modification present, with it having a very high level of natural character. Submerged rocky reefs result in the island having considerable submerged platforms. The platform surrounding the island encompasses the shoals of Passage Rocks, in the north-west, and the islets of White Rocks, in the south-east. The island is part of the Rakaia terrane,[3] and is surrounded by strong currents.[4]
Ecology
Tokomāpuna Island / Aeroplane Island is an ecosite, and vegetation is mainly native, with exceptions regarding occasional species, such as boneseed and non-natural karo.[3] Spearfishing is prohibited in Tokomāpuna Island / Aeroplane Island's vicinity.[5]
History
Tokomāpuna Island / Aeroplane Island was occupied by Māori before the arrival of Europeans. A small group of Ngāti Koata lived there in the 1830s and Te Rauparaha had stayed there from time to time. At one point, the island was owned and occupied by Ngāti Toa chief Tūngia. In October 1837, the HMS Conway visited Tokomāpuna Island / Aeroplane Island. Notes from Captain R.D. Bethune record the island as Hummock Island.[2] Between the 1830s and 1840s, Thomas Evans operated a shore whaling station.[1]
In 2017, a radio tower, complete with a transmitter, was erected on the island. It was built to track the triggering of individual predator traps. The tower also contains a webcam, used to dissuade poaching and to track sea conditions for local kayakers. The project was initiated and funded by the Kapiti Coast Biodiversity Project, which, in turn, was funded by the Ministry for the Environment.[4]
References
- ^ a b "Tokomāpuna Island / Aeroplane Island". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ a b Dodd, Andy (30 June 2013). "Coastal & Underwater Archaeological Sites of the Wellington Region Survey for the Coastal Plan Review" (PDF). p. 257. Retrieved 27 February 2026 – via Coastal Restoration Trust of New Zealand.
- ^ 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 4 February 2026.
- ^ a b Guthrie, Kate (4 September 2017). "Traps, technology and lizard tales on the Kapiti Coast". Predator Free New Zealand Trust. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ Kiro, Cindy; Hayward, Rachel (10 March 2025). "Fisheries (Central Area Commercial Fishing) Amendment Regulations 2025". Parliamentary Counsel Office. Retrieved 4 February 2026.