Motutapu Island is a small island in the Bay of Islands of New Zealand, located about northwest of Russell. It is situated near Blacksmiths Bay, within the Kerikeri Inlet.
Etymology
In Māori, 'motu' means island and 'tapu' is something restricted, prohibited, set apart or sacred. Motutapu as a 'sacred' or 'sanctuary' island, is a term used for various islands in a number of Polynesian cultures.Vaka Moana – Voyages of the Ancestors – Howe, K.R. (Editor), Page 33
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