History – Island life

The seascape around Kawau Bay contains several small islands and each has its own interesting history. Situated between Kawau and the mainland are the Mayne Islands. Edward Mayne had connections with Kawau during the copper mining era. He was an early settler whose farm on Auckland’s Hobson Street had a long frontage on Karangahape Rd. He was from a distinguished legal family and in 1848 he was appointed a magistrate with responsibility for keeping the peace on Kawau Island. Later, he was Sergeant of Arms in the NZ parliament and was granted an annuity by act of parliament on his retirement in 1865.

Separately, the Mayne Islands are Takangariki (the short casting of the net ) and Takangaroa (the long casting of the net). Takangariki, still called Rabbit Island on some maps and previously known as Pine Island, was bought in the 1950s by Allen Taylor for £200. At that time it was possible for a person of modest means to acquire such a property. Earlier owners must have also enjoyed the island life as an established orchard thrived among the pine trees, which covered most of the island. The Auckland Star reported in 1976 that Rabbit Island, Kawau Bay, had 300 pine trees felled by its new owner Mr D. Lumsden who had plans to turn it into a wild life sanctuary with the pine trees replaced by natives. The felling of the pines changed the shape of the island so that it appeared to have had a hair cut.

Takangaroa, the larger of the two islands, has long been in private ownership since it was purchased by Mr T. Clarkson, Kawau’s first radio operator. This came about in the mid 1920s when a telegraph office was established at Mansion House and Mr Clarkson was sent from Wellington to man it. Takangaroa is also a wild life sanctuary with no cats, dogs or guns allowed.

Lying across the south channel from Kawau, Motuketekete has a well-documented history. It was purchased from the Crown in 1850 by Frederick Whittaker and Theophilus Heale. Their efforts to operate a rival mining operation led to such animosity that their workers had to live on Motuketekeke and be transported each day to Kawau. A report in the Daily Southern Cross in May 1852 described Captain Heale’s island with a brig at anchor. “The puff, puff, of the engine of a smelting furnace apprised us that the hand of the diligent maketh rich”.

Continued riches, however, were not forthcoming, as the flooding of the mines ended the venture and the work force scattered. Motuketekete then had a succession of owners including Noah Parsons, one of the miners who had worked there. In 1880, it was purchased by George Scandrett and metal was barged from the island to build roads on the mainland. The 1901 and 1906 census returns show no residents living on Motuketekete but in 1911, when the New Zealand population had just reached its first million, there were three resident and seven on neighbouring Moturekareka.