Rotoroa Island

Rotoroa Island, located in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, is a beautiful location of spiritual and environmental significance. It was used by The Salvation Army as a residential addiction treatment centre for almost 100 years before the transfer and expansion of its services into Auckland at the end of 2005.

Since then, we have reviewed our options with regards to its future, keeping in mind the important place the island has in the hearts of many Salvationists and reformed addicts. At the same time, we want to share this very special place with the people of New Zealand who have been prevented from accessing the island for the past century.

Thanks to a generous donation by long time supporters Neal and Annette Plowman, a trust has been created to open Rotoroa Island to the public in February 2011 as a Conservation Estate.

Proceeds from the lease will go to fund the work of The Salvation Army.

Over 200,000 native trees have already been planted on Rotoroa Island. Walking tracks have been established that will give visitors opportunity to enjoy the island’s natural beauty and beaches and learn something of its history. Places of significance to Salvationists and those who lived on the island, like the chapel and cemetery, are being preserved and maintained as part of the telling of the Salvation Army story. A Visitor Information Centre will be constructed to tell the story of Rotoroa Island—natural history, Maori and early European occupation, as well as Salvation Army history.

> visit the Rotoroa Island website for more information regarding this new tourist destination