Description
Karepiro Bay is in the Hauraki Gulf, at the coming together of the Weiti and Ōkura Rivers, south of Whangaparaoa Peninsula and north of Long Bay on Auckland’s North Shore. On the shore of Karepiro Bay lies a little brick cottage: Dacre Cottage. Built in 1855, it is the second oldest existing building in Auckland, and its history is an important part of New Zealand’s heritage as a nation.
The land it stands on, known as the Weiti Block, was purchased, and the cottage built, by Ranulph Dacre. He lived a fascinating life as a sea captain, trader, entrepreneur, businessman, and family man. This book details his many adventures and enterprises, and the lives and deeds of many of his descendants.
Over many decades the cottage fell into disrepair. This is also the story of the community groups and individuals who have fought to preserve Dacre’s original Weiti Block, restore his cottage, and to protect its surrounding land – including the forest, estuary, beach, and wildlife. Their endeavours have led to much of the bay being declared as part of the Long Bay-Ōkura Marine Reserve, and limits on the number of houses that can be built on the southern banks of the Okura estuary.
The sands of the bay are also home to many birds, including the endangered New Zealand dotterels, and godwits arrive every spring back from their northern migration. This book also outlines the ongoing efforts to protect their unique breeding and feeding grounds in order to preserve our natural heritage for the future.
All proceeds from sales of the book will go to the Dacre Reserve Management Committee to contribute to their ongoing maintenance and improvement programme for the Cottage and the Historic and Esplanade Reserves.
