MOKOIA ISLAND

A remnant volcanic cone, Mokoia Island was and remains a place of great importance to Ngati Rangiteaorere. The island was touched by Kuiwai and Hungaroa as they searched and waited for Tanewhakaraka their brother before returning desolate to Hawaiiki. Among the waiariki they left was Waikimihia, the later setting for the love-story of Hinemoa and Tutanekai. Tanewhakaraka survived and among his descendants are Ngati Uenukukopako and Ngati Rangiteaorere who subsequently defended the island from all others during its fiercely contested history.

One of the most popular tours that developed in the 1890’s, was to travel out to Hamurana and Taniwha Springs to visit with Ngati Rangiwewehi, stop off at Mokoia Island then steam over to Te Ngae (Mataikotare marae) and then travel by coach to Tikitere before returning to Rotorua. A toll was established at Mokoia Island in 1950 to take advantage of the steady stream of tourists.

Today, 128 hectares of Mokoia Island is kept as a wildlife sanctuary, while the remaining 7.5 hectares is set aside for commercial development purposes. Mokoia Island trustees believe that only they have authority to make decisions affecting Mokoia Island, so long as their decisions do not impact adversely on third parties. For these reasons, the payment of rates, requesting local authority consents for building purposes and the payment of boat landing charges are always challenged by Ngāti Rangiteaorere. Ngāti Rangiteaorere on behalf of Mokoia Island seeks a permanent landing site on the Rotorua Lakeside Marina for the Island’s ferry.