Long Island, Marlborough facts for kids
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Marlborough Region |
| Coordinates | 41°06′49.67″S 174°17′4.32″E / 41.1137972°S 174.2845333°E |
| Area | 1.41 km2 (0.54 sq mi) |
| Length | 4 km (2.5 mi) |
| Width | 1 km (0.6 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 152 m (499 ft) |
| Administration | |
|
Department of Conservation (New Zealand)
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|
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Long Island is a special island located in Queen Charlotte Sound. This sound is part of the amazing Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand. Long ago, James Cook wrote down its first name, which was Hamote.
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About Long Island
Long Island is shaped like a long, thin strip of land. It covers an area of just over 1.41 square kilometers (about 0.54 square miles). The island is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long. Its widest part is only about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) across.
A Changing History
On March 26, 1926, Long Island was set aside for public use. Soon after, it became a farm. Between 300 and 400 sheep lived there. However, on January 14, 1926, the island changed again. It became a scenic reserve. In the 1930s, all the sheep were moved off the island. This allowed the island to grow back into its natural native bush.
A Special Place for Nature
Long Island is now a very important place for wildlife. Many rare birds have been brought back to live here. These birds are endemic, meaning they are only found in New Zealand.
- Little spotted kiwi: These birds were brought to the island in the late 1980s.
- Yellow-crowned parakeet: These colorful birds arrived in 2001.
- South Island saddleback: These unique birds were introduced in 2005.
All these birds have done very well. They now have healthy families living and breeding on the island.
Protecting the Ocean Around It
In April 1993, the Long Island-Kokomohua Marine Reserve was created. This reserve protects the ocean around Long Island and the tiny Kokomohua islands nearby. It stretches 460 meters (about 1,500 feet) out from the islands' shore. This was the first marine reserve ever made in the South Island of New Zealand. It helps keep the ocean plants and animals safe.
