Moturekareka Island is a small island off the southern edge of Kawau Island in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, approximately 43.7 km north of Auckland. It is separated from nearby Motuketekete Island by Blanche Channel.[1]

Motuketekete, Moturekareka and Motutara Islands seen from Martins Bay, Mahurangi

A full-rigged four-masted steel ship constructed in the English seaport of Whitehaven in Cumbria, and launched as the "Alice A.Leigh" in 1889, later changed into a four-masted barque and renamed the Rewa, now forms an artificial breakwater on the northeastern side of the island.[2] She was sunk intentionally by the island's owner Charles Hanson in 1930.[1] The masts can still be seen laying in the water at the bow of the Rewa.[2] When the Rewa was sunk the top deck was cut off her as the tide came in which is why she is cut on an angle.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Tennyson, Alan J. D.; Cameron, Ewen K.; Taylor, Graeme A. (1997). "FAUNA, FLORA AND HISTORY OF MOTUREKAREKA, MOTUTARA AND KOHATUTARA ISLANDS, HAURAKI GULF" (PDF). Tane. 36: 27–56.
  2. ^ a b c Barnett, Shaun (22 January 2019). "Skeleton in the harbour". Wilderness Magazine. Retrieved 21 May 2021.

36°28′29″S 174°47′44″E / 36.47472°S 174.79556°E / -36.47472; 174.79556