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Republic of Rakino: Meet the locals on Hauraki Gulf island, population 21

Cherie Howie
Reporter·NZ Herald·
14 mins to read
Republic of Rakino: Meet the locals on Hauraki Gulf island, population 21
Pat Withers, permanent resident Rakino Island, Hauraki Gulf. 12 December 2018 New Zealand Herald photograph by Michael Craig
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Rakino Island is still part of New Zealand.

But Pat Withers' four grandchildren might be onto something when they lament leaving her cliff-top home on the 1.5sq km Hauraki Gulf haven, population 21.

"They've always loved coming here. When it gets to time to go they don't want to —

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