History
Like many motu or islands in the Hauraki Gulf, Tiritiri Matangi has had many lives - as a prime fishing site for early Māori inhabitants, a sheep and cattle farm, a military base and more recently a wildlife sanctuary.
Take a deep dive into the history of the island by reading about its various roles throughout the decades.
Maritime History
Once home to the brightest light in the Southern Hemisphere, Tiritiri Matangi has a rich maritime history. Equipped with a signal mast, foghorn and a lighthouse, the island served to bring boats into the harbour when steam was replacing wind-power in the 1860s.
Military History
During the Second World War (1939-45) the island was part of the Auckland Harbour defences. Housing a Fortress Observation Post, the island was home to Navy personnel who were stationed there to identify any approaching vessels.