About

Welcome to Mokoia Island

We started this site because we believe Mokoia Island deserves a proper introduction — not just a blurb in a tourism brochure, but something with depth. The kind of resource you actually want to read before you visit, or revisit long after you have been there.

Mokoia Island sits in the middle of Lake Rotorua, and for centuries it has held a place in Maori history and New Zealand’s cultural story that goes far beyond its size. The legends alone — particularly the story of Hinemoa and Tutanekai — could fill a book. And the wildlife, the geothermal features, the sheer stillness of the place when the mist lifts in the morning, all of it deserves better than a quick Wikipedia entry.

What We Cover

We write about the island’s history, its ecology, the conservation work happening there, and the experience of visiting. We also cover wider New Zealand travel topics where they connect to the Rotorua region and its natural wonders. Our goal is straightforward: give readers something worth their time.

The Team

We are a small group of writers and editors based in New Zealand who share a genuine interest in this part of the country. Some of us have visited Mokoia Island many times. Others came to it fresh and discovered something unexpected. Either way, we try to bring an honest, well-researched perspective to everything we publish here.

If you have a question about visiting, or you have a story to share about Mokoia Island, we would love to hear from you. Use our contact page to get in touch.

Last updated: March 2026