Resolution Island (New Zealand) facts for kids
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Tau Moana (Māori)
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Resolution from the North - Near the Gilbert Islands
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 Resolution Island
Location in Fiordland
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| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 45°40′S 166°40′E / 45.667°S 166.667°E |
| Archipelago | New Zealand |
| Area | 208.87 km2 (80.65 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 1,069 m (3,507 ft) |
| Highest point | Mount Clerke |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Resolution Island, also called Tau Moana in Māori, is a large island in New Zealand. It is found in the southwest part of the Fiordland region. This island covers about 208 square kilometers (80 square miles).
Resolution Island is the seventh largest island in New Zealand. It is also the second largest island that no one lives on. The island is separated from the main South Island by water. These waterways include Tamatea / Dusky Sound, Te Puaitaha / Breaksea Sound, and Acheron Passage. The whole island is part of the Fiordland National Park.
The island looks mostly like a rectangle. However, it has a long, thin arm of land on its west side. This part is known as Five Fingers Peninsula. This area is special because it is protected as the Taumoana (Five Fingers Peninsula) Marine Reserve.
The island got its name from Captain James Cook. His ship, the Resolution, visited Dusky Sound in March 1773. This happened during Cook's second big journey around the world.
Protecting Resolution Island's Nature
Resolution Island was chosen in 2004 to be a special nature reserve. The goal is to remove introduced species (animals brought by people) to protect native plants and animals. This helps the island's unique wildlife stay safe and healthy.
Long ago, in 1894, a man named Richard Treacy Henry became the island's first "curator." He tried to move native birds like kākāpō and kiwi to the island. These birds were in danger from stoats on the mainland. Sadly, this early effort did not work. Stoats managed to reach the island by 1900.
On July 15, 2009, a very strong earthquake happened near Resolution Island. It had a magnitude of 7.8. The island was right at the center of this earthquake.
Amazing Plants of Resolution Island
Resolution Island is a very important place for plants. One reason is that possums have never lived there. Possums eat many native plants in other parts of New Zealand.
The island has many different types of natural areas. These include wet areas, thick forests, and high mountain zones. The tallest mountains on the island reach about 1,000 meters high.
Most of the island's forests are made of beech trees and other broad-leaved plants. In the high mountain areas, you can find tussock grasses, wetlands, and small mountain lakes called tarns.
More than 400 native plant types have been found on Resolution Island. This is a lot more than on the nearby mainland. Six of these plants are endangered, meaning they are at risk of disappearing. These include several types of mistletoe. Over a dozen other plant types are uncommon across New Zealand. Many of these plants are safe on Resolution Island because there are no possums eating them.
Wonderful Animals of Resolution Island
Only a few non-native mammals live on Resolution Island. These include stoats, red deer, and mice. To protect the native animals, people have been working to control stoats and rats since 2008.
Special traps are used across the island. These include different types of DOC traps and Goodnature A24 traps. These traps help to reduce the number of pests. This makes the island a safer home for threatened birds.
Some of these special birds include the mōhua (yellowhead) and the tīeke (saddleback). Many other native birds also live on the island. You can find the karearea (New Zealand falcon), kaka, kea, and kiwi here.
