Four islands of the Tīkapa Moana/ Hauraki Gulf were vested back to the Crown on 31 September, after a month in iwi ownership; part of a Treaty of Waitangi redress settlement reached in 2014.
Rangitoto, Motutapu, Te Motu-a-Ihenga (Motuihe), and Tiritiri Matangi were transferred to the Tupuna Taonga Trust, representing the interests of 13 iwi of Tāmaki Makaurau.
Four bronze plaques were unveiled at a ceremony on Maungauika/ North Head to be installed on each of the islands to acknowledge the deep connections iwi have with the motu and the generosity of the vest back for the benefit of the people of Aotearoa.
A Conservation Management Plan for Rangitoto, Motutapu, Te Motu-a-Ihenga and Motukorea (Browns Island) is being developed in partnership with iwi to ensure that the iwi o Tāmaki Makaurau have ongoing involvement in the governance and management of the islands.
