Rakino Island, the Jewel of the Hauraki Gulf
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Rakino is a small island of approximately 146 hectares, lying to the
north of Motutapu Island and to the North West of Waiheke Island. It is 2.4km long and approximately 1.2km wide and includes a number of beautiful beaches on both the West and East coasts. |
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The main access is by way of the public wharf at Sandy Bay, which is
at the south end of the island. A network of public roads service
most of the properties from here. The island is subdivided into four distinct residential areas, all of which are surrounded by rural blocks of approximately 4 hectares. There are approximately 205 properties on Rakino |
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Rakino’s history is fascinating.
Formerly owned by the governor of New Zealand, Sir George Grey, Grey had a permanent home built at, would you believe, Home Bay which he never occupied. Shortly after it was built, Kawau Island came up for sale and Grey made that his home instead. However, the original Grey homestead at Home Bay still stands. |
| In 1874, the island was leased and subsquently purchased by Albert Sanford. He and his family lived there for nearly eighty years. His younger son, Gilbert Sanford farmed the island until 1958. |  |
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The next intriguing chapter in its history came when it was
purchased by the United People’s Organisation (Worldwide)
Incorporated in 1963. This group proposed setting up a philanthropic
community there and at one stage considered seeking United Nations
protection and independent statehood. The president of the U.P.O was a Dr. Maxwell Rickard, also known as the Hypnotist, the Great Ricardo and for his ownership of a well known Auckland Night Club. |
Today, Rakino is an island of holiday properties, with about 11 permanent residents in 2005. Easily accessed by ferry or water taxi from the mainland; it provides a magic environment for its many owners. The combination of beautiful beaches, protected coves and magnificent views all come together to create an island paradise.
The island is administrated by the Auckland City Council and you can learn lots more about it from their web site: www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/documents/rakino
You can also download a map of Rakino Island here>>
Any queries about life or property on Rakino Island, please write to John Pryor of John Pryor AREINZ. E-mail>>