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Portland Island (New Zealand) facts for kids

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Portland Island
Native name:
Waikawa
Geography
Location Hawke's Bay Region
Coordinates 39°17′S 177°52′E / 39.283°S 177.867°E / -39.283; 177.867
Area 1.4–3.0 km2 (0.54–1.16 sq mi)
Length 3.26 km (2.026 mi)
Width 0.65 - 0.98 km (-0.20505249343832 mi)
Highest elevation 106 m (348 ft)
Administration
Māhia Peninsula landsat
NASA satellite image of the Māhia Peninsula, showing Portland Island close to the peninsula's southern tip

Portland Island, also called Waikawa, is a small island off the southern tip of the Māhia Peninsula on the North Island of New Zealand. It is used for sheep farming.

The area of the island fluctuates rapidly between high and low tides due to a shelf of rocks surrounding the east, north and west coast of the island. During low tide the area of the island can grow up to 3 km2, while during high tide it shrinks down to only 1.4 km2. This makes access by boat to the island rather difficult, despite it being only a kilometer offshore.

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Portland Island (New Zealand) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.