Wakatehāua Island
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Area.071 km2 (0.027 sq mi)
Length.59 km (0.367 mi)
 Wakatehāua Island. | |
 | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Te-Oneroa-a-Tōhē / Ninety Mile Beach |
| Coordinates | 34°41′10″S 172°53′24″E / 34.686°S 172.890°E |
| Area | .071 km2 (0.027 sq mi) |
| Length | .59 km (0.367 mi) |
| Width | .26 km (0.162 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Administration | |
Wakatehāua Island is a very small island, beside Te-Oneroa-a-Tōhē / Ninety Mile Beach, one of only two Northland west coast islands (the other being Matapia Island, further up the beach). As the island looked like a canoe, it was given the name Te Waka e Haua.[1] The area may have been populated from the 14th century.[2] Senecio repangae grows on the island.[3] In 1935 tree stumps were exposed, which it was suggested showed evidence that the island had been part of the mainland until they were covered by sand.[4]
The island was being used for camping in 1935.[5] In 1936 the Ministry of Works blasted some rocks to allow driving along the beach by the island at most states of tide.[6][7]