Feature Stories – Great Barrier Island News

Barrier Crowned New Zealand’s Best Island on Google Maps

Great Barrier Island has been crowned New Zealand’s best island according to Google Maps. The motu has received a whopping 4.9-star rating from 141 reviews, beating out other popular destinations like Waiheke Island (4.7 stars with 440 votes) and Stewart…

Nature's Bounty: A Lush Edible Garden Flourishes Under a Canopy of Citrus Trees. Photo / Milkwood

Grow Wild: Unleashing Aotea’s Potential with Edible Forests

Photo / Milkwood On Aotea we’re constantly exploring ways to live more sustainably and harmoniously with our surroundings. One method, which promises to enhance our self-sufficiency and support local ecosystems, is the establishment of edible forest gardens. Why an Edible…

David Gapes (right) near the pirate radio ship Tiri aground on Great Barrier Island. Photo / Herald Historic Archive

Radio Hauraki Pioneer David Gapes Dies

David Gapes (right) near the pirate radio ship Tiri aground on Great Barrier Island. Photo / NZME David Gapes, a key figure in the foundation of Radio Hauraki and a trailblazer for independent media in New Zealand, has passed away.…

The main Antipodes Island. Photo / Claire Concannon / RNZ

Subantarctic Islands’ Wildlife Thrives After Million Dollar Mouse Project

These subantarctic islands are wild and remote – some 860km southeast of Rakiura Stewart Island. Their isolation, in a far-flung corner of the South Pacific, means they’re some of the most untouched islands in the world.

Photo / Sunergise, Aotea Great Barrier Island Local Board.

Can you charge an EV with solar panels?

In the wake of petrol prices on the Barrier soaring to a record $4.15 per litre, the highest in the country, the community faces the age-old question about alternative transport solutions. The high cost of petrol, exacerbated by the logistical…

Solar water collectors. Photo / Peter Vauhn

How much could I save with Solar Water Heating?

Photo / PeterVauhn / CC With our robust annual sunshine of over 2,100 hours, Aotea presents (some argue) a golden opportunity for residents to harness solar energy, for water heating needs. Despite the clear advantages and the island’s tropical climate…