Heritage Talk - Matakohe Limestone Island

A little island with a lot of history

Talk date: 30 August 2023.

Jo Skyrme shared her experiences as a Ranger and told the story of Matakohe-Limestone Island in Whangārei Harbour.

The island has a surprising amount of history. Once a strategic Māori pa, then the site of pioneering Northland industry - the cement works developed in the 1850s, and now a conservation treasure.

Image shows Matakohe-Limestone Island in 1914. The New Zealand Portland Cement Co. works seen belching smoke were running at full capacity then, only to be razed by fire a year later.
Photo credit: GA Hawkes from 'A History of Matakone-Limestone Island' by GM (Tim) Clark.

About Jo Skyrme

Jo grew up in the Bay of Islands and moved to Whangārei for her high school years. She spent most of her early twenties living and working overseas, then returned to live in Whangārei where she studied for a Bachelor of Applied Science (Biodiversity Management) at NorthTec. Jo worked part-time for the Northland Regional Council and the Department of Conservation while studying. Soon after completing her degree, she was employed by the Friends of Matakohe Limestone Island (FOMLI) as their resident Island Ranger.

Jo's partner commutes to the mainland via kayak each day for work, while she oversees the running of the island. Her job is varied, with no day being ever the same. Her favourite aspect is working with the different reptile and bird species that have been translocated Matakohe.