Puketutu Island

Puketutu Island
Te Motu a Hiaroa
The motu (island) today, from Māngere Mountain
Highest point
Elevation65 m (213 ft)
Coordinates36°57′55″S 174°44′50″E / 36.965186°S 174.747248°E / -36.965186; 174.747248
Geography
LocationNorth Island, New Zealand
Geology
Volcanic arc/beltAuckland volcanic field
Te Motu a Hiaroa Island is located in New Zealand
Te Motu a Hiaroa Island
Te Motu a Hiaroa Island
Te Motu a Hiaroa is located in Manukau Harbor

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]

  1. ^ "Home". Te Motu a Hiaroa Charitable Trust. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  2. ^ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.