Green Island (Okaihe) facts for kids
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Māori: Okaihe
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| Geography | |
| Location | Dunedin, Otago region |
| Area | 0.04 km2 (0.015 sq mi) |
| Length | 0.3 km (0.19 mi) |
| Width | 0.2 km (0.12 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 42 m (138 ft) |
| Administration | |
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New Zealand
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| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Green Island is a small island in New Zealand. It is located about 2 km off the coast of the Otago region. This is about 13 km southwest of the city of Dunedin. No people live on Green Island. Its Māori name is Okaihe.
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Island History and Names
Green Island has an interesting past. It might be the "Isle of Wight" mentioned in old records. In November 1809, a ship called the Brothers dropped off some seal hunters there. One of these hunters was William Tucker. He later settled in a place called Whareakeake.
Another idea is that Green Island was called "Ragged Rock." Some hunters from the Brothers ship might have stayed on these islands for over a year.
Why Green Island Was Called St Michael's Mount
Green Island used to have another name: St Michael's Mount. This name might have come from a ship called the St Michael. A seal hunter named Tommy Chaseland was working near the island in the 1820s. He said he lost a boat and its crew when it crashed on the island. He spent a night alone there before being rescued.
Mining for Guano
In the 1880s, people mined the island. They were looking for guano. Guano is bird droppings. It was used as a natural fertilizer to help plants grow.
Important Bird Area
Green Island is very important for birds. BirdLife International has named it an Important Bird Area. This means it's a special place where birds can live and raise their young.
Birds Living on Green Island
The island is home to two main types of birds:
- Yellow-eyed penguins: These unique penguins build their nests on the island.
- Bronze shags: These are a type of seabird that also have breeding colonies here.
Green Island's Legacy
The natural forest on Green Island is still untouched. This forest gave its name to other similar forests nearby. These are also called "Green Island" native forests. They are found on the Otago Peninsula.
The name "Green Island" also refers to a community. This community is part of Dunedin City. It is also located on the Otago Peninsula.
