Skip to main content

Story: Nearshore islands

Motu Kōkako (Hole in the Rock)

Image
Motu Kōkako (Hole in the Rock)

A canoe sails past Motu Kōkako (Hole in the Rock) in Charles Emilius Gold’s 1847 watercolour. Māori frequently visited or lived on nearshore islands. Motu Kōkako, near Cape Brett at the entrance to the Bay of Islands, was said to be the landing place of the Māhuhu-ki-te-rangi canoe.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: B-103-019

by Charles Emilius Gold

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Eileen McSaveney, Nearshore islands – Early inhabitants, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/13013/motu-kokako-hole-in-the-rock (accessed 5 June 2026).

Story by Eileen McSaveney, published 1 March 2009.