46°47′S167°38′E / 46.783°S 167.633°E /-46.783; 167.633
Whenua Hou(Māori) | |
|---|---|
 Codfish Island / Whenua Hou as viewed from neighbouring Stewart Island / Rakiura | |
 Map ofStewart Island / Rakiura, with Codfish Island / Whenua Hou to the northwest. | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Tasman Sea |
| Coordinates | 46°47′S167°38′E / 46.783°S 167.633°E /-46.783; 167.633 |
| Archipelago | New Zealand archipelago |
| Total islands | 1 |
| Area | 14 km2 (5.4 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 250 m (820 ft)[1] |
| Administration | |
| Region | Southland Region |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited (2023) |
Codfish Island / Whenua Hou is a small island (14 km2 or 5.4 sq mi) located to the west ofStewart Island in southern New Zealand. It reaches a height of 250 m (820 ft) close to the south coast. The island is home toSirocco, an internationally famouskākāpō, a rare species ofparrot.
The island is one of many geographic features in New Zealand to have adual place name, consisting of the English andMāori names separated by a slash. The English name "Codfish Island" refers to the endemicblue cod, which is fished commercially in surrounding waters by trapping in baited pots.
The Māori name "Whenua Hou" means "new land", which dates back to the early days of European settlement in New Zealand.[2] Responding to concerns and allegations that local Māori women were being harassed bysealers on nearbyStewart Island, the localNgāi Tahurangatira,Honekai, designated Whenua Hou as the site of a new mixed race settlement where early Europeans could live with their Māori wives under his protection.[3] This encouraged sealers, such asThomas Chaseland to move to Whenua Hou, alleviating the issues which their presence had caused on nearby Stewart Island and making Whenua Hou one of the first permanent mixed Māori and European settlements in the region.[4]
Codfish Island / Whenua Hou is home tosouthern short-tailed bats,kākā,fernbirds,red-fronted andyellow-crowned parakeet (both referred to as kākāriki),Pacific black ducks and a recently introduced population ofmōhua.
The island has been identified as anImportant Bird Area byBirdLife International because of its significance as a breeding site for several species ofseabirds, includingFiordland andyellow-eyed penguins, andmottled,Cook's andWhenua Hou diving petrels.[5]
The firstkākāpō were transferred to Codfish Island / Whenua Hou in 1987 fromStewart Island in order to provide a safe haven for the birds. Following the eradication ofpossums and rats in 1998 and the transfer ofweka to other islands, the island became a predator-free bird sanctuary and the focus of kākāpō recovery efforts.
Codfish Island / Whenua Hou provides kākāpō with a home similar to their original home of Rakiura. As it holds the majority of the breeding population of critically endangered kākāpō it has become the centre for kākāpō recovery.[6] In 2002, 24 kākāpō chicks fledged on the island. In 2009 and 2016, 33 and 32 chicks fledged respectively.[7]
Its most famous resident isSirocco, a kākāpō born in 1997; Sirocco became the government's "Official Spokesbird for Conservation" in 2010.[8]
As of September 2021, 75 kākāpō reside on Codfish Island / Whenua Hou.[9]
The island is visited by scientific researchers andDepartment of Conservation field workers along with volunteers working on conservation programs. The sole hut is located atSealer's Bay in the northeast, with access by light aircraft or helicopter. The island is closed to casual visitors and unauthorised landing is prohibited.
| International | |
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| National | |
