Rotoroa Island

Rotoroa Island is an island to the east of Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand. It covers 82 hectares (200 acres). The Salvation Army purchased it for £400 in 1908 from the Ruthe family to expand their alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility at nearby Pakatoa Island. Men were treated at Home Bay at Rotoroa, while women were treated at Pakatoa. This treatment facility was closed in 2005.[1]

Rotoroa Island
The local ferry wharf
Geography
LocationAuckland Region
Coordinates36°49′S 175°12′E
Area82 ha (200 acres)
Administration
Demographics
Population0 (2018)

The island was leased from the Salvation Army in February 2008 by Neal and Annette Plowman, who formed a trust to create a conservation park[2] on the island. They have begun a revegetation project which will eventually include 400,000 native plants. The chapel, schoolhouse and jail are being restored and a visitor centre will be built. They gave the island to Auckland in February 2010 and it was opened on 26 February 2011.[1][3] The Plowmans also funded the nationwide Next Foundation.

The island is accessible through various ferry and air service companies.

See also

References
  1. Orsman, Bernard (20 February 2010). "Couple give island to Auckland". The New Zealand Herald.
  2. Hance, Jeremy (21 April 2015). "A bold wildlife experiment". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  3. Orsman, Bernard (28 February 2011). "Rotoroa Island open to public after 100 years". NZ Herald – Business. APN Holdings NZ Limited. Retrieved 1 March 2011.

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