The Waiheke Local Board area includes, in addition to Waiheke Island, the islands of Rangitoto, Motutapu, Motokorea, Motuihe, Ponui, Rakino, and a number of smaller islands. Some islands are uninhabited reserves while others are favoured places for permanent or holiday residences.

Rangitoto is the youngest volcanic cone in the Auckland area and is a regional symbol. The island is a popular visitor destination and a public reserve managed by the Department of Conservation.

Waiheke is the largest island in this grouping. In addition to the permanent residents, there are almost another 4000 holiday homes, mostly concentrated in the western end of the island. The island has around 40km of beaches and the eastern part of the island is predominantly farmland, vineyards and a regional park.

The Waiheke Local Board area has a unique community. The island’s residents, while diverse, are united in their love of the island’s environments.

In the summer, the population on many of the islands swells due to visitors and tourists seeking to make use of the open space, sandy beaches and boutique vineyards. More than 30,000 visitors visit Waiheke island each year.