Rangitoto erupted from the sea approximately 600 years ago in a series of dramatic explosions. Emerging from the sea, Rangitoto Island is a pest-free and is the youngest volcano in New Zealand. It is Auckland’s most iconic island, with its distinctive symmetrical cone and superb location just off the coast. Only a short scenic ferry ride across the harbor from downtown Auckland, the island is a favorite destination for hikers and day-trippers.