Casnell Island is an uninhabited island located in the Mahurangi Harbour, Auckland Region, New Zealand. Casnell Island is managed by the Department of Conservation.[2]
Native name: Maunganui | |
|---|---|
 Casnell Island in Mahurangi Harbour | |
 | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Auckland |
| Coordinates | 36°29′24″S 174°43′34″E / 36.49°S 174.726°E |
| Adjacent to | Mahurangi Harbour |
| Area | 68,000 m2 (730,000 sq ft)[1] |
| Length | 386 m (1266 ft) |
| Width | 230 m (750 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 40 m (130 ft) |
| Administration | |
New Zealand | |
Geography
editThe island is located in the Mahurangi Harbour at the mouth of Te Kapa River.[3] It is accessible from Scotts Landing at low tide via a causeway.[4] It is the largest island found in the Mahurangi Harbour.[1]
The island is formed from Waitemata Group sandstone and mudstone.[1]
Biodiversity
editMuch of the island is dominated by kanuka forest, with areas of pōhutukawa, kōwhai and grassland.[1]
History
editThe island was a pā site in the 16th century,[4] serving as a defensive fort at the entrance of the Mahurangi Harbour.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e de Lange, Peter J.; Crowcroft, G. M. (1996). "The Vascular Flora of Maunganui (Casnell) Island Scotts landing Mahurangi Harbour" (PDF). Auckland Botanical Society Journal. 51 (2). Auckland Botanical Society: 38–49.
- ^ Bioletti, Harry (1992). Rodney Coast to Coast. p. 99. ISBN 0-473-01296-0.
- ^ "Place name detail: Casnell Island". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Casnell Island". Mahurangi East Residents & Ratepayers Association. 3 June 2019.