Features

Burgess Island

Burgess Island, Mokohinau Islands

Burgess Island, the northernmost of the group and recognised by its lighthouse, is open to the public. Visitors are asked to be sensitive to the special conservation values of this small 50 ha island. The remainder of the islands (including Fanal, Flax and Trig Islands) and small stacks are nature reserves and protected wildlife sanctuaries, and landing is not permitted without a permit.

Most of Burgess (Pokohinu) Island is scenic reserve managed by the Department of Conservation; the remainder is Crown Land administered by the Ministry of Transport. There are no tracks or facilities on Burgess Island.

Unique species

Because of their isolated location at the edge of the continental shelf, the Mokohinau Islands are home for unique wildife species found nowhere else in New Zealand, or the world.

The Mokohinau Islands Nature Reserves provide a safe refuge for some of New Zealand's smallest endangered species, including the Mokohinau skink, the robust skink, the Mokohinau stag beetle and several threatened plants. Several species of burrowing and ground-nesting seabirds find refuge on the islands, as do a range of forest birds.

Past and present visitors 

The islands were visited seasonally by early Maori to take grey-faced petrel (muttonbird) chicks which were preserved for later consumption. The Ngati Wai tribe retain muttonbirding privileges on the islands.

A lighthouse was established on Burgess Island in 1883. Successive lighthouse keepers grazed stock on the island group until the light was automated in the 1970s. The islands are now being allowed to regenerate naturally to indigenous forest.

All exotic animal pests have been removed from the island group and the habitats are regenerating naturally. Making sure new animal and plant pests don't arrive on the islands is a major conservation focus. Due to the islands' remoteness, special care is also required to prevent fires.

Visitors to Burgess Island can explore historic sites associated with the lighthouse and World War II military installations.

The Mokohinau Islands are a dramatic backdrop for boats exploring surrounding waters. Spectacular coastal formations include high cliffs, stacks, guts and sea caves. The waters themselves are clear and excellent for diving.

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