A Timeline of Early European Settlement through to 1945

1820
Samuel Marsden crosses between Rangitoto and Motutapu in his whale boat. The boat has to be dragged by 50 Maori over the sandbank and into the deep water of the Waitemata. Marsden notes large number of Maori in the area (for a detailed Maori Settlement timeline refer Maori Settlement)

Marsden, with the Rev John Butler, are the first Europeans to walk across the Auckland isthmus and sight the Manukau Harbour.

1827
French explorer Dumont D'urville explores the Hauraki Gulf in the corvette Astrolabe and produces the first charts (Captain James Cook never saw the Waitemata) .

1832
Trader John Cowell visits Motutapu and reports the island to be deserted

George Weller claims to have 'bought' four islands including Rangitoto and Motutapu (as well as huge other areas in other locations around New Zealand). His claim was rejected as 'ridiculous in extent and questionable in validity'.

1833
Henry Williams camps on Motutapu. Williams was an early missionary who had sailed to NZ with Marsden on his 4th trip in 1823. Williams later was responsible for translating the Treaty into Maori

1836
Many of the previously evacuated territories including Motutapu are resettled by Ngati Tai.

1840
Governor Hobson selects Auckland as site for new capital

 Ngati Tai sell the northern part of the island (2560 acres), in Jan 1840, to Thomas Maxwell, boatbuilder and trader from Makatu (McLeod's) Bay, Waiheke.
He had lived at Maraetai with Ngati Tai and was married to Ngeungeu the daughter of the principal chief, Tara Te Irirangi
Maxwell paid 10 casks of powder, 4 double barrel guns, 80 blankets, 1 case of muskets, 6 cloaks, 20 cartridge boxes, 5 caps, 5 pairs black trousers, 5 gown pieces and 5 shawls for Motutapu and the adjacent islands of Rakino and the Noises.

On 4 Mar, the treaty of Waitangi is signed at Karaka Bay, Tamaki river mouth. The Treaty states Crown has 'right of pre-emption' (Maori selling land had to sell to the Crown). Prior land purchase claims have to be reviewed.

Northern end of the island leased out to James Moncur

1842
Maxwell lost at sea during a violent gale en route to Port Nicholson on the maiden voyage of his boat the 'Sarah Maxwell' named after his wife Rahere (Sarah) Ngeungeu. Two sons perish with him. His four surviving sons are left to prosecute their claim to his deceased estate. So begins one of the most complicated land claims in the history of the young colony

1843
Maxwell's land claims called for investigation, no one appears so claim is laid aside.

1844
Governor Fitzroy demands a hearing in favour of Maxwell's children. Tara te Irirangi (Ngati Tai) claims he never received his share of the payment for Motutapu. Commissioner Fitzgerald directs a payment of 20 pounds be made. Payment met by James Moncur on condition he can continue to lease the land until Maxwell's eldest son, James, comes of age.

Fitzgerald directs James Maxwell receive a grant of 891 hectares comprising the whole eastern end of island excluding a 32 hectare government reserve (present day Administration Bay).

1845
Southern end purchased by James Williamson and Thomas Crummer. They purchase 1500 acres paying 40 blankets, 2 coats, 2 pairs trousers, 2 pieces of calico, 2 guns, 2 muskets, 1 double barrelled gun, 2 pairs shoes, 1 cover lid, 1 shirt, 1 piece of print and 32 pounds in money. They begin to stock the island. Their 'purchase' was during the 1844-45 period the Crown waived the right of pre-emption.

Norfolk pines and other exotics planted (still stand today as familiar landmarks on the horizon and mark the original settlement sites)

Williamson and Crummer place notice in 'The New Zealander' stating any person cutting wood or hunting pigs on Motutapu will be prosecuted.

1846
Maxwell's children and Williamson and Crummer in dispute over ownership.

1849
Crown issues grant to Williamson and Crummer for just 86 of the 1500 acres, which they refuse. Maxwell's surviving sons awarded approx 70% of the island

1849-54
Dispute still ongoing between the Maxwells children and Williamson and Crummer.

1857
Survey plan by Charles Heaphy shows a homestead at Home Bay (presumably built by Williamson and Crummer), a cottage above Islington Bay and stables and a hut at Emu Bay.

Robert Graham awarded title to northern part and later acquires Williamson and Crummer title (Crown sells Graham its 1440 acres and he negotiates with the Maxwell sons for the purchase of their 2200 acres - Graham now has title to entire island excepting the 80acre public reserve gazetted at Administration Bay)

1858
Graham purchases Motuihe

1860
Graham introduces deer, rabbits, quail, pheasants, wallabies, ostriches and other exotic animals as a visitor attraction (although James Reid's descendants claim it was the Reids, and not Graham, who introduced deer to the island).

He establishes considerable areas in pasture (486 hectares in a single year) and imports pedigree sheep and cattle and is elected Auckland representative in the General Assembly.

Paddle steamer vessel Emu with 40 gentlemen from the General Assembly and 15 ladies onboard (following a luncheon at Motutapu with Graham)  strikes an uncharted submerged rock and sinks (no loss of life). Rock becomes known as Emu rock and Kai Moriria renamed Emu Bay.

1869
Reid Brothers (William and twins John and James) purchase the island from Robert Graham for 16000 pounds.
Homestead built at Emu Bay
Reids fence and clear much of the island of manuka scrub, eventually allowing for 5000 sheep, 4000 cattle and 60 horses.

Reids stock the island with deer
(Peg Loomans, wife of James Reid's Grandson Jim Loomans, says Sir George Grey and the Reid Bros were friends. Governor Grey  introduced fallow deer onto Kawau around 1870. It is likely, though not definite, that the deer came from the Reid properties in Scotland still occupied by eldest brother Thomas Reid at that time. An Auckland Star article of 1st Feb 1894 mentions what a pest the deer had become.  The Reid family always acknowledged that they introduced the deer, which they obviously came to regret) Peg's comments dated 25 April 2010. 
Reids also introduce wallabies, emus, buffaloes and waterfowl . Wallabies eat grasses, karaka, Pohutukawa and climb trees to browse foliage.

1870
Reids acquire northern part of the island from Maxwell's descendants
Eldest brother William Reid dies tragically at Emu Bay Homestead,Motutapu, aged 40, is buried at Old Symonds St cemetary, Auckland.
Second homestead built in Home Bay (John's residence). James remains based at Emu Bay.

1875
on 9 March 1875, the 'Island of Motutapu' is advertised for sale in the NZ Herald, 'for further information apply W.Aitken, Land Agent'. Was this the Reids simply testing the market?

1879
50% of island now in pasture, half in scrub - mainly manuka and fernland. Few trees remaining except in eastern valleys

1890
James Reid appoints John Craig as farm manager. John is assisted by wife Elizabeth (Reid's housekeeper) and their children. Craig children include Andrew, Eliza, Jane, Isabella, Christina and two other sons who were to die young.

1899
John Reid (James' twin) dies from blood poisoning following a shore excursion to Longamapu, Vava'u (Tonga). He dies a week later and is buried at sea between Apia and Levuka from the Union Steamship, SS Waikare on 21 July

1900
James Reid (aged 63) marries John Craig's daughter, Eliza (aged 20)

1901
Eliza prefers Home Bay to Emu Bay. James builds the present Reid Homestead at Home Bay on the site of John's home which is believed to have burned down (according to the Loomans family).

1902
Two earlier Home Bay homesteads removed

1903
Premier Picnic - 10 steamers run 15 trips from Auckland, transporting 14,000 people to Home Bay (NB: this is an amazing turn out considering the population of Auckland was only 100,000 at the time!)

James and Eliza's first daughter, Helen Elizabeth ('Nell') born.

1905
Second daughter, Florence Jean (Jean) born 

1908
James Reid dies at home after a short illness aged 71. He is buried on Monument hill behind Home Bay. Eliza stays on the island living at Reid Homestead and maintains an interest in running the farm

1912
Reid daughters move to boarding school in Auckland. Previously schooled, together with cousins, by governess in the schoolroom by the homestead. School room later called 'Old School Building'

1916
Third Infantry regiment has territorial camp at Home Bay prior to sailing to Gallipoli and the Western Front. 700 men attend the camp under the command of Lieutenant Colonel A. Bartlett.

1925
Deer from Motutapu still being sighted swimming to Rangitoto

1930
Last of the Reids ostriches and emus die off

1935
Reids sign agreement with the Crown to use the island for defence purposes and to build a fort, roads, a quarry, yard and wharf

1936
Work begins on infrastructure for the counter bombardment gun battery
A quarry is started near the south end of Home Bay to supply roading material
Onehunga business, H. Bray &Co awarded contract by military for both the fortress and wharf.
Work begins on the Home Bay wharf to be built 6 chains east of Mrs Reid's wharf.
Bray & Co apply for extension on contracts as new legislation re the 40 hour week is enacted.
Public Works department camp set up at Home Bay to accommodate workers.
Reserve at Administration Bay reclassified for defence purposes
(For a detailed Military Motutapu timeline refer WWII Timeline)

1937
Military provide Eliza Reid with free phone line, connecting homestead with mainland (part of the sale and purchase agreement)

1938
A letter to the permanent head of the Public Works Department in Wellington states that 'Auckland City Councillors want to purchase some of the island, road it and open it to the public of Auckland as a marine suburb'.
6 inch Mark21 guns mounted at battery
Eliza Reid expresses intention to sell all of island except 200 acres at Home Bay
Island title transferred from Eliza to her daughters, Helen Elizabeth Buining and Florence Jean Loomans (tenants in common, equal shares for the approxiamate 3072 acres)

1939
NZ enters WWII
Island now managed by the Land Development Branch of Lands and Survey Department, Auckland

Eliza Reid takes active role in war work as member of the Victoria and Overseas League. She also convenes the war work centre of the Lyceum Club

1942
Eliza Reid dies unexpectedly in Auckland following an operation aged 62. She is buried at Home Bay behind James on Monument Hill

1943
The majority of the island is taken over under the Public Works Act for Defence Purposes.
Public Works Department purchase 3212 acres from the Reid daughters for 50,000 pounds ($3.8million 2009 dollars). The purchase price was considered (by Government agencies) to be above the productive value of the land and included compensation for the very considerable interference with farming during the war.
4252 sheep stocked on island
Island farmed by the Land Settlement Board on an agency basis for the Defence department

1944
Home Bay Homestead block acquired by Crown for defence purposes (approx 392 acres) for 10,200 pounds ($774,000 2009 dollars) 
An area of approx 0.5 acres, incorporating the family cemetery, is all that is retained by the Reid family.
Battery closes, barbed wire removed from coast and buildings at camps all dismantled except for the mine base, HMNZS Emu and the Administration Bay artillery camp.

Motutapu Farm managers and their families move into Reid Homestead (for a listing of farm managers 1944-1984 refer the Farm )

click Timeline Post WWII for events through to present day