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Rotoroa, No Longer an Island Apart

  • Spectrum for 29 January 2012

    Rotoroa Island in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf is no longer an 'island apart'. For a hundred years it was off-limits to the public, as the Salvation Army's alcohol and drug treatment centre. Now, after a… Read more Audio

Rotoroa Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf is no longer an ‘island apart’.

Rotoroa January Rotoroa island today small

Rotoroa island today (All photos courtesy Barrie Brown, Chairman Rotoroa island  Trust)

For a hundred years it was off-limits to the public, as the Salvation Army’s alcohol and drug treatment centre. Now, after a 30-million dollar take-over and makeover, the island’s wide open to visitors.

Rotoroa January Home bay today Old school house beside new exhibniton centre small

Home bay today. Old  school house  beside new exhibniton centre

All the money’s come from the pockets of a very shy philanthropic couple, Neal and Annette Plowman. David Steemson takes a boat trip to Rotoroa and talks to Phil and Ginette Salisbury who now manage the island, and to Barrie Brown who chairs the Rotoroa Island Trust.

Rotoroa January Chris Booth Sculpture at southern end of Rotoroa small

Chris Booth Sculpture at southern end of Rotoroa