Claris is a settlement on the east coast of Great Barrier Island in the

Auckland Region Auckland () is one of the sixteen regions of New Zealand, which takes its name from the eponymous urban area. The region encompasses the Auckland Metropolitan Area, smaller towns, rural areas, and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. Containing ...

of New Zealand. Though less populous than the main seaport area of Tryphena on the west coast, Claris functions as the administrative centre for the island, and a large proportion of its commercial and community services are based there.

Auckland Council Auckland Council ( mi, Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau) is the local government council for the Auckland Region in New Zealand. It is a territorial authority that has the responsibilities, duties and powers of a regional council and so is ...

's service centre for the island is in the township, with services including fire permits and property information services and the island's public library. The Aotea / Great Barrier Island Local Board has offices next door. The island's police station is in Claris.

Great Barrier Aerodrome Great Barrier Aerodrome is the major airfield on Great Barrier Island. It is a small, uncontrolled aerodrome at Claris on Great Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf off the North Island of New Zealand. Fuel is not available. The town of Claris ...

, the island's main airfield, is at Claris. The settlement also has a general store, a petrol station, a New Zealand Post shop, a liquor store, a pharmacy, and several outlets serving prepared food and, in some cases, liquor. It also has the island's only medical centre, and the only operating landfill. Claris is located on a relatively flat area of land, surrounded by rolling hills. Kaitoke Beach and Medlands Beach are located nearby.

History

In January 2013, a vegetation fire burned over 100 hectares near Claris and Kaitoke Beach. A planned flight departure at the aerodrome was moved to

Okiwi Airfield Okiwi Airfield , also called Okiwi Station Airfield, is a small airfield located near the village of Okiwi on Great Barrier Island, New Zealand. It has a single bitumen runway, and a small terminal in the form of a wooden hut. The airfield is ow ...

, east of

Okiwi Okiwi is a small settlement and rural community at the head of the Whangapoua Estuary, in Whangapoua Bay, on Great Barrier Island in New Zealand's Hauraki Gulf. Facilities include Okiwi School, one of three schools on the island, all primary school ...

. Between 2015 and 2019, the Aotea / Great Barrier Island Local Board investigated establishing a cemetery at Okiwi or Claris, opting to establish it in Claris. In July 2019, restrictions were put on the disposal of rubbish, due to capacity constraints at the Claris Landfill and Recycling Centre. Auckland Council has consent to continue dumping rubbish at the site until 2027, but is concerned it could run out of capacity before then. Visitors are encouraged to dispose of all rubbish.

References

{{Hauraki Gulf Great Barrier Island Populated places in the Auckland Region