Wakatehāua Island is a small, uninhabited island located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, part of New Zealand's subantarctic region. It is situated off the south coast of Stewart Island / Rakiura, which is New Zealand's third-largest island.
Geography and Location
Wakatehāua Island lies approximately 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) south of Stewart Island / Rakiura, within the Foveaux Strait area but closer to the open Southern Ocean. The island is relatively small and rocky, characteristic of the exposed insular environments in this region. Its precise coordinates place it south-southwest of Port Pegasus / Pikihatiti, a large inlet on Stewart Island's southern coast.
Ecology and Wildlife
Like many islands in the New Zealand subantarctic, Wakatehāua Island serves as a significant breeding and roosting site for various species of seabirds and marine mammals. While specific detailed ecological surveys might be limited for such a small island, it is generally understood that these isolated rocky outcrops provide essential refuge for species vulnerable to mainland predators. It likely supports populations of penguins, shearwaters, and other petrels. New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) are also common visitors or residents on such islands.
Administration
Wakatehāua Island falls under the jurisdiction of the Southland Region of New Zealand and is managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), which oversees the protection of New Zealand's natural and historical heritage. Access to such islands is often restricted to protect sensitive ecosystems.
See Also
- Stewart Island / Rakiura
- Foveaux Strait
- New Zealand Subantarctic Islands