Thanks Robbie (Auckland) Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A Cache dedicated to “Mayor Robbie” who was instrumental in stopping the use of Motukorea (Browns Island) as a sewage treatment plant. See detail below.
One of the best-preserved volcanoes in the Auckland volcanic field, it erupted between 10-20,000 years ago. The volcano's main scoria cone has survived in good condition, and has an impressive deep, well-shaped crater.
The island has been an important part of Auckland's early history. Historic sites cover much of the island and include Maori pa sites, gardens and settlements, in some cases several hundred years old. Other sites are associated with early European settlement.
THE BROWNS ISLAND SCHEME
In 1931 Drainage Board chief engineer H.H.Watkins recommended that the Orakei outfall be abandoned and replaced with a new treatment works and outfall on Browns (or Motukorea) Island in the inner Hauraki Gulf. The scheme included a pumping station, sedimentation tanks and sludge drying beds on the island, with facilities for conveying wet sludge for disposal into the sea. The idea met with some opposition, notably from the Tamaki Yacht Club and residents of the nearby marine suburbs of Tamaki and Waiheke Island. After some delay caused by World War II, in 1944 the Board (reconstituted as the Auckland Metropolitan Drainage Board) resolved to go ahead with the Browns Island scheme. Thus began one of the most protracted and bitter disputes in the history of local government in Auckland and the rise of one of Auckland's most famous personalities, Dove-Myer (later Sir Dove-Myer) Robinson.
In 1945 public opposition to the Browns Island scheme crystallised in the formation of the Suburban Drainage League which was soon headed by Dove-Myer Robinson. In leading the public opposition to the Browns Island scheme, .Robbie. as he was popularly known, began a notable career in public life. He was eventually to become a city councilor, Chairman of the Auckland Metropolitan Drainage Board, Mayor of Auckland (for a record six terms) and the founding Chairman of the Auckland Regional Authority. Drainage League agitation resulted in petitions to Parliament in 1945 and 1946. In 1948 the Minister of Health intervened and in 1949 a Royal Commission was set up to investigate the Browns Island scheme and report on alternatives. It was Robinson who first advocated an oxidation pond treatment system at Mangere. The long-running controversy ended in mid-1954 after Robinson, who had been elected chairman of the Drainage Board in 1953, commissioned a panel of international experts to investigate the Browns Island scheme and to recommend an alternative.
Almost a year after initial construction work on the pipeline had began, the Browns Island project was officially terminated and replaced by an alternative scheme which was to be located on the Mangere shoreline by Puketutu Island on the Manukau Harbour.
Getting there
There is no public ferry service to the island, but it is only a short trip from the mainland for small boats. There is sheltered anchorage at Crater Bay. Other landings can be made directly onto the beach west of Crater Bay or on the landing block.
Looking after the island
•Do not bring dogs or other animals onto Motukorea. They are a threat to protected wildlife and farm animals.
•Do not light fires. They can easily get out of control.
•Take your rubbish off the island with you - observe the Department's 'Pack in - Pack Out' policy. There are no rubbish disposal facilities on Motukorea.
•Do not remove or disturb any artefacts or other historic remains.
•Do not camp on the island.
Terrain rating upgraded to reflect difficulty of getting to the Island!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ba yvir bar.
Treasures
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