Matakana Island

Matakana Island is an island in the western Bay of Plenty on the North Island The flat island of about 6,000 hectares extends from Tauranga with a length of nearly 25km in a north-westerly direction. The width of the island is generally from 1 to 3km. Lying almost in the middle, on the inhabited part, it widens to just over 6km.

The south-eastern end of the island is located on the opposite side of a mountain Mauao, regarded as the remnant of an ancient volcano, which is 800m wide of the Port of Tauranga.  Simultaneously, the Straits are also the access to the South Pacific Ocean by Matakana Island. Matakana Island can be seen from the mountain and behind it lies Mauao.
Population

The date of the census of 2006 showed 225 people lived on the island, 63 fewer than in 2001. The decline in population by 21.9% can be due to the remoteness of the island, but is probably more to do with the phenomenon of a rural exodus than in other less developed rural regions. On the island there lives mainly two members of the Maori Hapu (tribal groups) and Ngai Tuwhiwhia Ngati Tauaiti.

Their population is 94.5%.  At the same time, 13.3% are European origin citizens because in New Zealand multiple ethnicities can be assigned. However, only 61.1% of the population speak the Maori language.
Landscape

The island can be roughly divided into two areas, the agricultural part and the wooded part. At the widest point of the island towards the Tauranga Harbor there is about 20km2 of farmland, orchards and residential areas.  The long stretches of sea (about 40 km2) was put under protection. In the forest in the 1920s, they planted the Monterey pine (Pinus Radiata).

The Department of Conservation was launched in 1992. Over the years there has been registered more than 300 fledged chicks. The protection of birds in New Zealand is in a critical state. Cats, rats, stoats and possums endanger the survival of the animals.  By their relative remoteness, the island offers excellent conditions to provide a safe living environment.

Another conservation project, the brochure the Wetland Restoration on Matakana Island long complained that it destroyed the wetlands, which offered them fresh water, food and medical herbs.  It was argued that through modern agriculture, over-fertilization and clutter, the area was ruined. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) started in 2006, a two-year project to rehabilitate the wetlands on the island.

Use

The island is used for agriculture in the inhabited part. The dairy industry there is in the foreground, but also fruit growing and the cultivation of crops under the Maori population is too.  Wood is used in forestry to some extent.

The saw-mill, located on the island is used by the local Maori and transported for further transport and trade to the Port of Tauranga. On the island there is an absolute prohibition of open flames.  Between 1993 and 1999, the ownership of around 40km2 of forest land as freehold land was disputed. The case of Arklow Investments Ltd and Another v. ID Maclean and Others went to the New Zealand High Court and the Privy Council in London.

The long sandy beach of the island is popular with surfers who use it in favorable weather.  Another special feature of the island is music.  Held annually is the Natural Breeze Festival