Bare Island (New Zealand) facts for kids
Te Motu-o-Kura / Bare Island as seen from the mainland
|
|
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Hawke's Bay |
| Coordinates | 39°49′59″S 177°01′39″E / 39.833125°S 177.027589°E |
| Area | 15 ha (37 acres) |
| Highest elevation | 106 m (348 ft) |
| Administration | |
|
New Zealand
|
|
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Te Motu-o-Kura / Bare Island is a small island located in the Pacific Ocean in the southern Hawke's Bay on the eastern shores of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) off the North island coast, near Waimārama, 25 kilometres (16 mi) south of Cape Kidnappers.
On the south-west side of the island, there is an aquifer exuding fresh water (called Nga Puhake-o-te-ora or "the burp of life"). From the shore Motu-o-Kura is bare, but from the seaward side, there is enough cover to provide resting sites for blue penguins and sooty shearwaters.
When Jules Dumont d'Urville sailed past in 1827 he reported houses and boats on the seaward side.
Following the passage of the Heretaunga Tamatea Claims Settlement Act 2018, the name of the island was officially altered to Te Motu-o-Kura / Bare Island.
The legend of Motu-O-Kura
According to Māori legend, the island is named after a woman named Kura. Kura, during times of siege, would dive down to obtain fresh water from the aquifer on the island.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Bare para niños
