Rakino Island 4.33

Rakino Island is one of the many islands in the Hauraki Gulf, an arm of the Pacific Ocean to the northeast of Auckland, New Zealand.Rakino is a small island north-east of Motutapu Island. The island is 2.4km long and about 1.2km wide and has an area of 1.5km². The two most popular bays have public access, but three others also have access from the sea. There are smaller bays and beaches without public access. The public wharf is at the south end of Sandy Bay, and a barge access ramp is at the western end of Sanford Way in Home Bay. The hilly topography comprises a fertile layer of volcanic topsoil from Rangitoto Island that overlays a thick mantle of clay soil which in turn overlays greywacke rock. The island is mostly in pasture with pockets of coastal pōhutukawa.There are around 76 dwellings on Rakino Island though the permanent population is only approximately 16 as of 2010. Rakino, with its few permanent residents and its small size, and with a limited public ferry service, has little attraction for commuters. Residents welcome its isolation and privacy.HistorySir George Grey, governor of New Zealand, bought Rakino in 1862. He ordered trees and started building a house in Home Bay but he lost interest when Kawau Island became available. During the 1860s the prisoners from the Waikato Wars were brought to Auckland, some were housed in hulks at anchor in the harbour and a small party was settled at Rakino, where a house and gardening supplies were provided. The experiment was a failure and soon abandoned. There is an entry in the Appendices to the House of Representatives Journal which says "Ihaka did not thrive much on the island, and died there, it is presumed of homesickness and a broken heart."