Codfish Island

Codfish Island
Whenua Hou (Māori)
Map of Stewart Island, with Codfish Island to the west.
Geography
Coordinates 46°47′S 167°38′E / 46.783°S 167.633°E / -46.783; 167.633
Total islands 1
Area 14 km2 (5.4 sq mi)
Highest elevation 250 m (820 ft)[1]
Administration
Region Southland Region
Demographics
Population (?)

Codfish Island or Whenua Hou is a small island (14 km2 or 5.4 sq mi) located to the west of Stewart Island/Rakiura in southern New Zealand. It reaches a height of 250 m (820 ft) close to the south coast.

The English name refers to the endemic blue cod or rawaru / pakirikiri, which is fished commercially in surrounding waters by trapping in baited pots. Whenua Hou means "new land" in Maori.[2] Codfish Island is home to Sirocco, an internationally famous kakapo, a rare species of parrot.

Wildlife

Following the eradication of possums and rats in 1998 and the transfer of weka to other islands, Codfish is a predator-free bird sanctuary and the focus of kakapo recovery efforts. It holds the majority of the breeding population of critically endangered kakapo. In 2002, 24 kakapo chicks fledged on the island. In 2009 and 2016, 33 and 32 chicks fledged respectively.[3] Its most famous resident is Sirocco, a kakapo born in 1997; Sirocco was the government's "Official Spokesbird for Conservation" in 2010.[4][5]

Codfish Island is also home to southern short-tailed bats, kākā, fernbirds, red-fronted and yellow-crowned parakeet, Pacific black ducks and a recently introduced population of yellowheads (mohua).

The island has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because of its significance as a breeding site for several species of seabirds, including Fiordland and yellow-eyed penguins, and mottled, Cook's and Whenua Hou diving petrels.[6]

Access

The island is visited by scientific researchers and Department of Conservation field workers along with volunteers working on conservation programs. The sole hut is located at Sealer's Bay in the northeast, with access by light aircraft or helicopter. The island is closed to casual visitors and unauthorised landing is prohibited.

Tiny Codfish Island is home to about half the world's remaining kakapo

Coordinates: 46°47′S 167°38′E / 46.783°S 167.633°E / -46.783; 167.633

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Codfish Island (Whenuahou), Southland - NZ Topo Map". Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 2017-10-17.
  2. ↑ Te Kohanga Ote Whenua Hou, pers comm
  3. ↑ "Whenua Hou - Codfish Island - Kākāpō Recovery". Kākāpō Recovery. Retrieved 2017-11-16.
  4. ↑ Milne, Amy (15 January 2010). "Sirocco chills out on Codfish Island". The Southland Times. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  5. ↑ "Prime Minister Appoints 'Spokesbird' for Conservation". Tourism New Zealand. 29 January 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  6. ↑ BirdLife International. (2012). Important Bird Areas factsheet: Codfish Island. Downloaded from "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-07-10. Retrieved 2012-12-14. on 31 January 2012.
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