Matakana Island
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Matakana Island is located in the western Bay of Plenty in New Zealand's North Island. A long, flat island, it is 20 kilometres in length but rarely more than three kilometres wide. The island has been continously populated for centuries by a number Maori tribes that are mostly associated with Ngai Te Rangi. The main tribe of the Island is "Tukaki" who have had continuous population since the early 1700's. During the great Maori land wars of the 1800's, the island was successfully defended by the greatest chief to date, Tamahai Tukaki.
At the 2001 census it had a population of 288 people. 86% of the population are Maori, and nearly 50% of people are engaged in agriculture or fishing (2001 census).
The island protects the entrance to Tauranga harbour and stretches from Athenree to Mount Maunganui. It is largely covered by pine forests.
The island's long, white sandy beach is popular with surfers. Surfers can either catch a water taxi from Mount Maunganui or paddle to the island across the mouth of Tauranga Harbour (depending on weather conditions).
Matakana's surf side is a nesting site for a large number of sea birds, including the endangered New Zealand dotterel.
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