Matiu Somes Island

2026

Matiu/Somes Island's original Māori name, Matiu, is traditionally attributed to the navigator Kupe, who named it after one of his nieces. The island has longstanding connections to iwi including Ngāti Ira, Ngāi Tara and Ngāti Kahungunu. In the 1820s and 1830s, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama and Te Āti Awa migrated from Taranaki into the Wellington region. Today, Matiu/Somes is part of the rohe of Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika, with Te Āti Awa maintaining an important role as mana whenua and kaitiaki.

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