Waiheke Island
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Waiheke Island is in the Hauraki Gulf about 35 minutes by ferry from Auckland, New Zealand. The Island is 19.3 km long from east to west and varies in width from 0.64 km to 9.65 km, with an area of 92 km2.
The coastline is 133.5 km including 40 km of beaches. It is the second largest of the Hauraki Gulf islands (after Great Barrier Island), the most populated and most accessible with regular ferry and air services. The port of Matiatia at the western end of the island is 17.7 km from Auckland and the eastern end is 21.4 km from Coromandel.
Waiheke Island is very hilly with few flat areas, the highest point being Maunganui at 231 metres.
The climate is generally warmer than Auckland with less humidity and rain and more sunshine hours. There is a permanent population of around 7,000 residents. Waiheke Island is a popular holiday spot. During the period around Christmas, the population on the island can swell to over 30,000 people.
Waiheke Island has less infrastructure than nearby Auckland City. Each house must maintain their own water supply and install a septic tank to handle sewerage.
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In May 2005, in a suspected capping stunt, a letter was sent to the New Zealand Prime Minister claiming that foot and mouth disease had been released on Waiheke Island and would be released elsewhere unless money was paid and tax reforms made. Stock on Waiheke Island was tested every 48 hours for symptoms of the virus, which would devastate New Zealand's agricultural exports.
External links
- Waiheke Island website (http://www.gotowaiheke.co.nz)
- Hauraki Gulf website (http://www.gotothegulf.com)