Island of secrets: Matiu/Somes Island in Wellington Harbour

New Zealand is an island nation with many island stories, none more plentiful than those of Matiu/Somes in the center of the harbor capital. From hitherto secret government files, unpublished diaries, reminiscences, interviews and other records David McGill tells the complete story for the first time:

· Maori setting off from Matiu to invade the Chathams
· First fortress for Maori and Pakeha settlers
· The first and last sight of New Zealand for quarantined immigrants
· Institutional brutality to prisoners
· A death ray developed with secret government funding
· Nazi prisoners plotting the takeover of New Zealand
· Count von Luckner exposed as a charlatan by his wireless operator
· The country’s first quarantine station and maximum animal security complex
· A century of conflict between government and recreational users

The new millennium marks a fresh start with the restoration of the name Kupe gave the island, the tuatara returned to its ancient habitat, and many zealously guarded secrets at last revealed.