My Account
Kawau in Te Reo Maori is the cormorant or shag. Kawau Island is believed to be named after Kawaupaka – the little white throated shag, which breeds on the island.
The island is associated with the early Maori ancestor Toitehuatahi and later by descendants of the crews of the Arawa and Tainui.
Conflict occurred in the 18th century between the resident Kawerau and the Marutuahu collective of tribes. The result of the attack ended in a cannibalistic feast in Bostaquet Bay, where human bones have been discovered.
Following debate over ownership, the island was sold to W.T. Fairburn of the North British Australasian Loan and Investment Company in the 1840s.
A copper mine was opened in 1846 and produced around 2500 tonnes of ore. The ruins of the mine’s 20-metre smelting chimney are still visible today.
Sir George Grey brought the island in 1862 and turned the mine superintendents home into what is now called Mansion House. It’s been in public ownership since 1967.
