Puketutu Island | |
---|---|
Te Motu a Hiaroa | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 65 m (213 ft) |
Coordinates | 36°57′55″S 174°44′50″E / 36.965186°S 174.747248°E |
Geography | |
Location | North Island, New Zealand |
Geology | |
Volcanic arc/belt | Auckland volcanic field |
Puketutu Island, also known as Te Motu a Hiaroa, is a volcanic island in the Manukau Harbour, New Zealand, and is part of the Auckland volcanic field. European settlers called it Weekes' Island, but this was eventually abandoned in favour of the historical Māori name. The island is joined to the mainland via a causeway known as Te Ara Tāhuna.
Te Motu a Hiaroa means "the island of Hiaroa" in reference to an ancestor who arrived on the island after journeying on the Tainui waka.[1] Puketutu refers to one of the several maunga (mountains) and puke (hills) on the island. The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "tutu shrub hill" for Puketutu.[2]