Motukorea
Browns Island
Sir John Logan Campbell Residuary Estate Funding
Thanks to the Sir John Logan Campbell Residuary Estate
Motukorea (Browns Island) is a spectacular and distinctive feature of Auckland’s seascape. Despite being one of the best preserved of all our volcanic features and the closest island in the Hauraki Gulf to the city, few Aucklanders find their way there, and many know little of it, least of all that it’s a regional park.
To raise Aucklanders’ knowledge of this under-visited gem and encourage them to visit, The Sir John Logan Campbell Residuary Estate, (the residual estate of one-time Motukorea owner Sir John Logan Campbell, who gave Cornwall Park to Auckland) has provided funding to Friends of Regional Parks to help Auckland Council develop an awareness project of the island.
As a part of this project three people who know the island intimately muse on this alluring place via a video, which will be available soon. Our Motukorea guides include Nick Mead who has led hundreds of kayak trips there, Shaun Lee, an experienced volunteer who monitors and photographs wildlife and ranger Miranda Bennett who guides conservation initiatives there. The project is being led by Auckland Council's Interpretation Advisor.
Progress Update - Feb 2021
A video is being developed by Auckland Council to help explain the multifaceted social, cultural and environmental history of Motukorea/Brown’s Island. The video features three people with extensive knowledge of the island - Nick Mead who guides visitors to the island by kayak; Shaun Lee, an experienced volunteer with Friends of Motukorea, who monitors and photographs wildlife; and ranger Miranda Bennett, who guides conservation initiatives there.
You can preview the almost completed video here
The video is an initial part of building awareness of the role of the motu in the early development of Auckland, in particular Ngati Tamatera, Sir John Logan Campbell and his business partner Mr Brown. Many Aucklanders can see Motukorea but few know its history and future as a regional park.