Matiatia Bay is the gateway to Waiheke Island. Lying beside the island's best natural harbour, it has been the landing place for Maori waka, settler barges, tourist yachts and commuter ferries today.

This beautiful heritage site is threatened by development - a marina is proposed, and intensive parking. Establishing the significance of the past, historian Paul Monin tells Matiatia's story from early Maori occupation to the present day. Here in a fertile bay in the magnificent setting of the Hauraki Gulf is a microcosm of New Zealand's history.

Charmingly written, MATIATIA: GATEWAY TO WAIHEKE includes a rich array of photographs and maps.