Rangitoto Island

Size: 2336 hectares

Area description

Rangitoto is the youngest and largest of the Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland volcanoes. The last eruption occurred approximately 600 years ago. 

Rangitoto Island is situated in the Hauraki Gulf and made up of two scenic reserves administered by the Department of Conservation:

  • Ngā Pona-toru-a-Peretū Scenic Reserve at the summit of the volcano
  • Rangitoto Scenic Reserve covering the rest of the island.
The slopes of Rangitoto toward the summit.
The unique Rangitoto landscape of basalt lava flows and regenerating pōhutukawa-dominated forest and scrub.
Photo credit: Alastair Jamieson

Forest development

Rangitoto Island is internationally significant as a volcanic landform because each stage of vegetation succession is present. This begins with the initial colonisation by plants of the raw basalt and scoria through to the formation of scrub to young coastal forest. 

Despite the seemingly inhospitable conditions for plants, there are more than 200 species of native ferns and flowering plants growing on the island. There are a number of epiphytic species found here (with many of these found at ground level) such as:

  • perching lilies
  • coastal astelia
  • puka. 

There are also many species of mosses and lichens.

Key ecosystems

Rangitoto Island has the largest pōhutukawa forest in the world. The vegetation is almost entirely classified as pōhutukawa scrub or forest (VS1).

There are small pockets in low-lying areas near the base of the hillslopes where soil development has led to faster vegetation succession. Pōhutukawa, pūriri, broadleaved forest/ coastal broadleaved forest (WF4) has established here. 

Around parts of the coastal margin, there is a band of oioi-coastal needle grass on saline margins of lava flows (SA1.7). This is the best regional example of this ecosystem variant which is very uncommon in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.

Conservation

After undergoing a pest eradication programme, Rangitoto and adjoining Motutapu Island were declared pest-free in 2011. This created a safe refuge for threatened native species including:

  • tīeke (North Island saddleback)
  • kākā
  • kākāriki
  • pōpokatea (whitehead)
  • korimako (bellbird). 

Ongoing vigilance is required to keep the island pest-free and efforts continue on controlling weeds.

Related ecosystems

Coastal saline ecosystem

Mangrove forest and scrub ecosystem (SA1)

Mangrove forest and scrub is found in tidal estuaries, inlets and where salt water meets fresh at the mouths of rivers and streams. This ecosystem has a range of distinct plant communities that provide habitat for birds and fish.

Threat status
Least concern

Regenerating ecosystem

Pōhutukawa scrub and forest ecosystem (VS1)

This ecosystem supports a wide range of invertebrates, lizards and birds. Pōhutukawa also dominate here, establishing on a range of soils after disturbance. Look out for this ecosystem next time you visit Rangitoto Island.

Threat status
Endangered

Warm forest ecosystem

Pōhutukawa, pūriri, broadleaved forest ecosystem (WF4)

Scattered along Auckland's coastlines, this broadleaved forest ecosystem provides an important source of food for kererū. They are also important seed dispersers for many species in this ecosystem.

Threat status
Endangered