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Ponui Island facts for kids

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Ponui Island
Ponui Island is located in New Zealand
Ponui Island
Ponui Island
Location in New Zealand
Location in New Zealand
Geography
Coordinates 36°52′S 175°11′E / 36.867°S 175.183°E / -36.867; 175.183
Area 18 km2 (6.9 sq mi)
Highest elevation 173 m (568 ft)
Highest point Ponui
Administration

Ponui Island (also known as Chamberlin's Island) is a privately owned island located in the Hauraki Gulf, to the east of the city of Auckland, New Zealand. It is located to the southeast of Waiheke Island, at the eastern end of the Tamaki Strait, which separates the island from the Hunua Ranges on the mainland to the south.

Fluttering Shearwaters Hauraki Gulf New Zealand Aotearoa
Fluttering Shearwaters, waiting off Ponui Island for the next fishing excursion

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "long night" for Pōnui. The island is the site of some of the earliest archaeological remains of early Māori in the Auckland region, dating to at least the 1400s.

The island has an area of 18 km² and has been farmed by the Chamberlin family since 1853. The island now consists of three farms, two owned by the Chamberlin family and one by John Spencer. The only permanent inhabitants (nine in the 2001 census) are associated with the farms which are predominantly used for sheep.

Ponui-hills
Farmland and native bush on Ponui Island

The island is a popular site for youth camps for organisations such as Scouts. Crusader camps (now under the banner of Scripture Union) have been held on the island since 1932.

The island is the home of New Zealand's only feral donkey breed, the Ponui donkey. It also has a large population of kiwi.

Shipwrecks

Ponui Island is home to the Shipwreck of the Pupuke.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Isla Ponui para niños

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