Motutapu Island is a small island in the Bay of Islands of New Zealand, located about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) northwest of Russell.

[1] It is situated near Blacksmiths Bay, within the Kerikeri Inlet.

In Māori, 'motu' means island[2] and 'tapu' is something restricted, prohibited, set apart or sacred.

[3] Motutapu as a 'sacred' or 'sanctuary' island, is a term used for various islands in a number of Polynesian cultures.

[4] This Northland Region-related geography article is a stub.