Great Barrier Island Totally Explained

Everything about Great Barrier Island totally explained

Great Barrier Island is a large island of New Zealand, situated 90 km to the north-east of central Auckland in the outer Hauraki Gulf. With an area of 285 km² it's the fourth-largest island of New Zealand's main chain of islands, though its highest point, Mount Hobson, rises only 621 m. The remote island, initially exploited for its kauri trees and seeing some very limited agriculture, is now inhabited by a small population of around 850 people, mostly living from farming and tourism.
The island receives its European name because it acts as a barrier between the Pacific Ocean and Gulf. For centuries, the indigenous Māori called it Motu Aotea, meaning (island [ofthe] white cloud) in the Māori language.

History

The kauri logging industry was profitable in the island's early days. Kauri forests however were well inland and there was no easy way to get the logs to the sea or other routes to sawmills. The logs were therefore dragged to a convenient stream bed with steep sides and a kauri dam was constructed of wood with a "trapdoor" near the bottom large enough for the logs to pass through. When the dam had filled (which might take up to a year) the trapdoor was opened and the logs floating above the dam were sucked down through the hole and swept down to the sea, 16 miles away in the case of the illustrated dam. The logging industry cut down large swathes of old growth forest, and most of the current growth is younger native forest as well as some remaining kauri in the far north of the island.
The island never received many agricultural settlers, and though close to the path of ships travelling to Auckland, the local population never grew strongly. These days, much of the income of Great Barrier is earned by its inhabitants working in Auckland or further away, or by tourism. House and real estate prices have however risen due to increasing demand for holiday homes in the Auckland area.

Geography

With an area of 285 km² (110 sq mi), Great Barrier is the sixth-largest island in New Zealand, following the South Island, the North Island, Stewart Island, Chatham Island, and Auckland Island. The highest point, Mount Hobson or Hirakimata, is 621 m above sea level.
The island's European name stems from its location on the outskirts of the Hauraki Gulf. With a maximum length (north-south) of some 43 km, it protects the gulf from the storms of the Pacific Ocean to the east. Consequently, the island boasts highly contrasting coastal environments. The eastern coast comprises long, clear beaches, windswept sand-dunes, and heavy surf. The western coast, sheltered and calm, is home to hundreds of tiny, secluded bays which offer some of the best diving and boating in the country.
Entrance to the Hauraki Gulf is via two channels, one on either side of the island. Colville Channel separates the island's southernmost point (Cape Barrier) from Cape Colville at the northern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula to the south, and Cradock Channel separates the island from the smaller Hauturu/Little Barrier Island to the west.

Population

Settlements

Great Barrier Island has a permanent population of around 1,100, primarily in coastal settlements such as Tryphena, the largest settlement, in Tryphena Harbour at the southern end of the island. Other communities are Okupu, Whangaparapara, Port Fitzroy, Claris and Kaitoke. There is no central power on the island, and houses require their own generators.

Further Information

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