Chatham Islands Area
Chatham Island Mollymawk pair on nest,
The Pyramid, Chatham Islands
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Chatham Islands Area Office
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Phone:
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+64 3 305 0098
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Fax:
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+64 3 305 0376
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Email:
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amckillop@doc.govt.nz
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Address:
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North Rd
Te One
Chatham Island
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Postal Address:
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PO Box 114
Waitangi
Chathams 8942
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The Chatham Islands are located 860 kilometres east of Christchurch, at about latitude 44°S. The land area of around 97,000 hectares is spread unevenly among some 40 islands and islets.
View a map of the Chatham Islands.
Chatham Island, the largest of the islands, has a high southern tableland flanked by towering cliffs, while a gentle northern portion encompasses extensive waterways, low peatlands and long sandy beaches. The other main island, Pitt, has a heartland of forest and a coast of wild cliffs, headlands and sandy beaches. Around Pitt Island are two smaller islands (Mangere and Rangatira), and several clusters of islets and rock stacks.
The Chathams Area is managed by the Wellington Hawke's Bay Conservancy of the Department of Conservation. DOC is responsible for 8001 hectares, protected in 41 reserves. There are a further 18 protective covenants on private land.
The two Crown-owned islands, Rangatira and Mangere nature reserves, are free of introduced mammals and are important sanctuaries for threatened species. Tuku Nature Reserve is famous as the breeding site of the rare Chatham Islands tāiko, the world's rarest seabird.
The Chatham Islands were the last islands to be settled by people in the Pacific. Residents today are descended from Mōriori, Māori and European and their distinctive culture is reflected in the many significant archaeological and historic sites. There are various wāhi tapu and burial sites as well as remnants of European settlement relating to whaling and farming. Evidence of Mōriori occupation includes the internationally significant Mōriori tree carvings (rakau momori) at J. M. Barker (Hapupu) National Historic Reserve.
Having 20% of New Zealand's threatened birds 14% of threatened plants and 8.5% of threatened freshwater fish, the Chatham Islands present immense conservation challenges. The islands' long isolation has created a biologically rich environment. Many of the plants and animals are endemic to the islands.
The vast expanse of ocean that surrounds the islands is rich in marine life with significant populations of seabirds, whales, dolphins and seals.