AOTEAGBI.news

News which rocks our rock.

Leadership Vacuum Amidst Transport Cost Crisis

$228 Return Flight Deal to Island Amid Rising Travel Costs

Tropical Fruit Growing Workshops Coming to Motu in March

AOTEA, THE LATEST:

300+ Boaties Ignore Aotea Caulerpa Ban

Free 'Addiction 101' Workshop Coming to Island

'Everybody is a Treasure' Series Coming to Aotea Arts Village

Subantarctic Islands' Wildlife Thrives After Million Dollar Mouse Project

Hillary Outdoors Bids Farewell to Aotea: End of an Era

The Case for Solar-Powered EVs across the Island

Review: The Best Internet on Aotea, Great Barrier Island

Free Counselling Services For Youth And Their Whānau

If you value our content, please consider supporting us. The Great Barrier Independent is made and paid for by readers like you.

Claris Sports and Social Club Goes Green with New Solar Battery Bank

Local board considering Tourism levy

Hit play for renewable, community-powered radio from AOTEA FM.

Go here to open the player in another tab so you can rock out while you read.

Looking for 'Best on the Barrier', our business directory? Check it out here.

ISLESTYLE: OFF-GRID LIFE

Freshwater Drinking Stations in Move to Ditch Plastic Bottles

Iconic Barrier Property with Private Museum Hits the Market

Turquoise Transformation: Mulberry Grove School's Court Gets a Facelift

Service Helps Island's Weed Wackers Track Invasive Species

Island Eats: What Grows Best on The Barrier

Local Board Considering Tourism levy

Paddle boarder's 'terrifying' Orca encounter at Shoal Bay

Suction Dredging Trial to Target Caulerpa

Port Fitzroy to Host 'The Manu Comp' in Support of Local Youth

BARRIER BYTES: TECH & INNOVATION

Tune Your Starlink So You Can Keep Surfing

Switching off from work has never been harder, or more necessary. Here’s how to do it

Review: The Best Internet on Aotea, Great Barrier Island

Fix It, Don't Ditch It: NZ Needs A Right-to-Repair Law

Why Do We Still Rely on Decades-Old Battery Technology?

Tip Shop (Anamata) Goes Solar, Enhancing Island Recycling

You are watching the death of the electric car (again)

Starlink slashes satellite internet hardware price from $1000 to under $200

If you're looking for property on Aotea, Great Barrier Island, you'll probably find it on TradeMe Property

POLITICAL PULSE: BARRIER & BEYOND

2024 a 'Make-or-Break' Year for the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

New Zealand can learn from South Africa, The Gambia and others when it comes to international accountability

Enough with Pākehā Media Deciding Who's Māori and Who's Not

Workers have few protections if their employer goes bust – fixing the Companies Act would help

Māori suicide rates remain too high – involving whānau more in coronial inquiries should be a priority

From the Middle East to the South China Sea: NZ’s new government inherits a defence dilemma

ECOECHOES: PRESERVING PARADISE

DOC Ramps Up Patrols to Enforce Dog Bans on Pest-Free Hauraki Gulf Islands

Tropical Fruit Growing Workshops Look Set For Island

Using photos to create 3D models is helping us understand – and protect – complex marine environments

Ban on Single-Use Cups on Aotea, Great Barrier Island in Eco-Friendly Shift

Fix It, Don't Ditch It: NZ Needs A Right-to-Repair Law

Tip Shop (Anamata) Goes Solar, Enhancing Island Recycling

You are watching the death of the electric car (again)

Stripes and Wiggles: Decoding the Pipefish's Mating Game

Climate Change: A Storm Brewing Over Our Tourism Economy

GBI TV - The latest TV clips featuring life on Aotea.

About the Barrier & Aotea, Great Barrier Island News

Aotea Great Barrier Island is a large, rugged island located in the outer Hauraki Gulf of Aotearoa, New Zealand. It is the fourth-largest island in the country and is known for its stunning natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and unique Māori culture.

Aotea/GBI has a rich history, dating back over a thousand years to when Māori first settled here. Today, the island is home to around 1,000 permanent residents, many of whom are involved in fishing, farming, and tourism.

Great Barrier Island is renowned for its stunning scenery and outdoor activities. Visitors can explore the island's pristine beaches, native forests, and rugged hills, which offer a range of hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The island is also a popular destination for water sports, including swimming, snorkeling, and diving, with offshore reefs and even wrecks to explore.

Despite its remote location, Great Barrier Island has a range of accommodation options, including DOC camping grounds, baches and holiday homes, and luxury lodges. Aotea is accessible by ferry, which departs from Auckland's viaduct Harbour several times a week, or by private boat or commercial aircraft departing several of the country's airports including Auckland, North Shore, Whitianga, Ardmore, and Tauranga.

Aotea, Great Barrier Island is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty and unique culture of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Find out more about visiting the barrier here.

Book travel

Sealink - Car Ferry from the Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau CBD

BarrierAir - Daily flights from Auckland Domestic and North Shore Airport

Island Aviation - Flying from North Shore, Waiheke, and Ardmore Airfields (demand dependent flights)

Sunair - Regular flights to Aotea from Whangārei, Hamilton, Whitianga, Ardmore and Tauranga (demand dependent flights)

Not (yet) a local? You'll find all you need to know about visiting (or staying) on Aotea, Great Barrier Island in our FAQ.

Where exactly are we?

Aotea, Great Barrier is located in the outer Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand, approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland).