| Early 1700’s |
Earliest known occupation by the Ngaitahuhu people. |
| Mid 1700’s |
Te Ponaharakeke joined with other Ngapuhi to drive the Ngaitahuhu
out of the Whangarei area. |
| Late 1700’s |
Ngatiwai from southern Bay of Islands attacked and Killed Te Ponaharakeke
and the Ngapuhi chief Te Tiraua I. |
| Early 1800’s |
Island occupied by Te Ihi, great-great grandson of Te Ponaharakeke.
On his death, the island passed to Te Tirarau. |
| 1820 |
Ngati-Paoa from Panmure ,led by Kaeo raid and overrun Onemama Pa,
Taurau half brother of Te Tirarau and Te ihi who were defending Matakohe was captured
but latter exchanged for a musket by Ti Tirarau and Kaeo. Ref page 2. |
| 1832 |
First (European) house in harbour on Matakohe Island, belonging
to Mr G.D. Browne was destroyed by a war party from the Waikato. |
| 1836 |
Browne Erected a flax-pressing plant. |
| 1842 |
First Trading ship built in harbour by Robert Carruth a cutter named
“Trial”. Latter used to evacuate settlers in 1845. |
| 1843 |
Maketu, a Takahiwai chief had huts and plantations on the island. |
| 1845 |
(Sacking of Koroaraeka). Whangarei pillaged by allies of Hone Heke
and the island was used as a refuge for settlers escaping to Auckland. |
| 1848 |
Robert Carruth and Mathew Whitelaw lease the island from Parawhau
tribe and establish limeworks. |
| 1857 |
Lime works under control of Henry Walton and George Edge. |
| 1857 |
First Edge Cottage built southwestern corner behind lagoon. |
| 1858 |
First Brick Kiln:- thought to be the smaller of two surviving on
the island built by Henry Walton. |
| 1864 |
February 4th, Hannah Edge is born to George & Harriet Edge, first
recorded European child born on the island. |
| 1865 |
Walton purchased the island from Te Tirarau and the Parawahau chiefs.
Walton had married into Te Tirarau’s family. With S. Graham, he ran sheep
on the island and extended the limeworks. Walton left New Zealand in 1868. |
| 1873 |
Second Edge Cottage built. |
| 1874 |
First European wedding held on the island between John Fraser (stone
mason) and Sarah Edge, George Edges second eldest daughter on September 17th 1874. |
| 1874 |
Singlemens Quarters built. |
| 1876 |
Island sold to J. A. Edwards of Waikararaka. |
| 1881 |
Ernest Schaw Rutherford produces first batch of Portland Cement
in New Zealand (and probably the Southern Hemisphere.) |
| 1906-1918 |
Limeworks became a major industry employing 270 people at its peak.
Most of the original buildings were moved to Portland. The island was purchased by the
Northland Harbour Board and grazed with dry-stock for decades. |
| 1989 |
Island gifted to Whangarei district. Conservation and Ecological Restoration (Revegetation and fauna
restoration) era. First Planting in 1989 at the western corner of the island. |
| 1993 |
The Friends of Matakohe/Limestone Island became an Incorporated Society. |
| 1996 |
David Wright employed as Resident Ranger (with support from NZ Employment Service)
to look after and maintain the island. A one-room Sunshine cottage purchased with a Lotteries Grant.
13 ft fryan boat and trailer purchased with assistance of Marine North. Composting toilet built by volunteers
for use by the ranger and the public. Diesel generator purchased. Water storage tanks installed - for ranger dwelling only.
Situation prior to 1996: major weed infestation - periwinkle, gorse, eupatorium, blackberry,
and to a lesser extent privet, cotoneaster, mothplant, German ivy, nasturtium, pampas,
Australian sedge, kikuyu. Rats and mice in considerable numbers. Weasels, stoats, ferrets swimming to the island.
Limited annual plantings of 2000-3000 trees. No formed tracks or walkways. No information or track signage.
Beach landing only possible. |
| 1997 ? |
NorthPower wired the cottage and installed solar panels and
deep-cycle battery storage. |
| 1998 |
Friends of Matakohe/Limestone Island Society in strategic partnership
with Golden Bay Cement Company as principal sponsors of the restoration project. |
| 1999 |
Gazetting of Matakohe/Limestone Island as a Scenic reserve’
Floating pontoon constructed for public use. |
| 2000 |
Massive Millenium planting - 23,000 plants planted. Tree Weta released
on island. Plant numbers for following years on
this page.
The Matakohe-Limestone Island Scenic Reserve Restoration Plan was commissioned
by FOMLI and completed by Jo Ritchie in May. |
| 2001 |
First Kiwi release (2 adults –Glen and Helga)) onto the island.
11 Flax snails released also, but failed to survive. New Signage installed. Unsuccessful ground based eradication of
mice undertaken. |
| 2002 |
Colin Bishop employed as Ranger. Public-awareness survey for the island
undertaken in Cameron Street in September. |
| 2003 |
New Ranger Station built with assistance of the ASB Community Trust & Sunshine Homes. A composting toilet constructed by the cement
mill ruins. Golden Bay Cement renews its sponsorship for a further five years. The first kiwi chick was born on the island. |
| 2004 |
First of a five year Grey Faced Petrel translocation project began with help from
the World Wildlife Fund, Small 4-wheel drive vehicle purchased with assistance from Pub
Charities. |
| 2005 |
Purpose-built barge (Petrel III) purchased with help of Pub Charities.
Pete and Cathy Mitchell
employed to job-share as new Rangers. First year of weed control on Rabbit Island initiated with
with assistance from DOC Biodiversity Condition and Advice Fund |
| 2006 |
Wetland project undertaken with financial assistance from the Northland
Regional Council - 3 small dams constructed, Flax Field dam cleaned, stock dam repaired.
Reticulated water system installed. A kiwi chick born on the island was named Wilson by Golden
Bay Cement staff. This website was created. |
| 2007 |
Long-term vegetation monitoring transects established. New tractor and
front-end loader purchased with help from Pub Charities. Preliminary report on historic buildings completed
by architect, Dave Pearson.
With funding through Northland Regional Council (Harbour Restoration Fund),
Shore skink from Mimiwhangata were released onto the island, the first of 8 species.
Construction began on an all-tide boat berth with funding by the Whangarei District Council.
Composting toilet installed between Ranger Station and volunteer's cabin. |
| 2008 |
The year in which the 50th kiwi chick raised on Matakohe/Limestone Island
was released back to the mainland. Golden Bay Cement sponsorship extended for a further 12 months.
Dredging completed for the all-tide berth. |
