Rangitoto Island is the largest, youngest and one of the least modified of about 50 volcanic cones and craters in the Auckland volcanic field. It erupted from the sea in a series of dramatic explosions around 600 years ago, and is now extinct. It dominates the local seascape and a visit there is like stepping into another world. The island is a public reserve managed by the Department of Conservation and is famed world-wide as a botanical gem. With the explosive growth of plant life since it erupted from the sea 600-700 years ago there are now more than 200 species of native plants, including 40 species of fern. Many of the plants are unusual hybrids, like the tree-perching epiphytes which grow on the ground and sub-alpine moss cushions thriving at sea level. The island's predominantly pohutukawa forest is the largest in the country.
Rangitoto's name is derived from the phrase "Te Rangi i totongia a Tamatekapua" - the day the blood of Tamatekapua was shed. Tamatekapua was chief of the Arawa canoe which arrived about 1350 and was engaged in (and lost) a major battle with the Tainui at Islington Bay.