Matiu Some's Island is the biggest of Wellington Harbour's islands and has a fascinating history.
In pre-European times the island was host to several pā which acted as lookout posts and refuges as well as a way station for people travelling by waka between other pā which surrounded the harbour. Matiu Somes also played a defensive role during both World Wars. They were host to gun emplacements and anti-submarine equipment.
There's a darker side to the island's history. It was the site of detainment camps for people declared "undesirable aliens" during the wars. That included everyone from Tongans with German last names to socialists. One of the most tragic stories is the man known as the Leper of Somes Island.
These days Matiu Somes is owned by Te Ātiawa and serves as a nature reserve administered jointly by the iwi, Department of Conservation and the Matiu/Somes Island Charitable Trust.
Paul Brennan talks with historian Lynette Shum and co-chair of the Matiu Somes Island Charitable Trust Liz Mellish.
Matiu Somes Island in pictures
Matiu/Somes Island in Wellington Harbour. Photo: RNZ/Alison Ballance.
View from the front garden of Tiakiwai, Thorndon, looking across Wellington Harbour towards Somes Island. Stowe, Jane, 1838-1931. [Stowe, Jane] 1838-1931 :[Somes Island. 1880s?]. Ref: NON-ATL-P-0100. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22912279
Aerial view of Somes Island. Owen :Photographs of Somes Island and the ship "Parmir". Ref: 1/2-023133-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22853126
Private cuddy built by guards on Soames Island by guards in about 1910. Roy Clark, WNTV 1, New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation : Photographs of Somes Island, 1914-18. Ref: 1/2-038619-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23181843
Bavarian String Band formed by German internees on Somes Island during World War I. Hart, Roger :Photographs of Somes Island and other subjects. Ref: 1/2-112230-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23103973
German prisoners of war on Somes Island during World War One. Ref: 1/2-112327-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22612696
Camp on Somes Island ca 1910s, showing the tents and buildings. The taller buildings were for the internees and the lower buildings were for the guards. Roy Clark, WNTV 1, New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation : Photographs of Somes Island, 1914-18. Ref: 1/2-038622-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22834639
German internees on Somes Island. Hart, Roger :Photographs of Somes Island and other subjects. Ref: 1/2-112228-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22401714
View of buildings on Somes Island, probably during World War I. In the background are large quarantine buildings. The single storey buildings in the foreground were built during World War I. The building marked with a cross was built by the YMCA and contained a billiard table.
German prisoners of war outside a beach hut, Matiu/Somes Island, Wellington. Howard, B J : Chiefly photographs of Somes Island during World War I. Ref: 1/2-091238-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22768135
German prisoners of war on Somes Island. Howard, B J : Chiefly photographs of Somes Island during World War I. Ref: 1/2-091247-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22338885
Group on Somes Island, including German internees who were celebrating the Kaiser's birthday between 1914-1918. Hart, Roger :Photographs of Somes Island and other subjects. Ref: 1/2-112288-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22700741
Guards working party on Somes Island, 1914. Roy Clark, WNTV 1, New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation : Photographs of Somes Island, 1914-18. Ref: PAColl-6718-01. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23160048
Buildings on Somes Island, circa 1938. Taken by an unidentified photographer. Roy Clark, WNTV 1, New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation : Photographs of Somes Island, 1914-18. Ref: 1/2-038625-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23022548
Aerial view of Somes Island, Wellington, 20 March 1952, taken by Whites Aviation. The Hutt Valley is in the background. Whites Aviation Ltd :Photographs. Ref: WA-30269-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23219448
Somes Island, Wellington, 1969. Looks down upon buildings. Negatives of the Evening Post newspaper. Ref: 1/4-016611-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22454836 WNTV 1, New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation : Photographs of Somes Island, 1914-18. Ref: 1/2-038618-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22800044
Mokopuna Island north of Matiu/Somes Island 2013. Photo: Menno Huibers.
Radio New Zealand's Alison Ballance on Matiu/Somes Island in Wellington Harbour with a little blue penguin. Photo: RNZ.
Miniature DOC hut by Kemi Niko & Co. on Matiu Somes.
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