Tītī / Muttonbird Islands facts for kids
|
Native name:
Motu Tītī
|
|
|---|---|
| Administration | |
|
New Zealand
|
|
| Demographics | |
| Population | Seasonally inhabited; no permanent population |
| Ethnic groups | Rakiura Māori |
The Tītī / Muttonbird Islands are a group of islands found way down south in New Zealand. They are located close to Stewart Island. People do not live on these islands all year round.
These islands get their name from a special tradition. Local Māori have traditionally visited the islands during certain seasons. They collect young birds called "muttonbirds." These birds are actually a type of seabird known as the sooty shearwater. They were given the name "muttonbird" because some people thought they tasted a bit like mutton (lamb meat).
Contents
What Are the Muttonbird Islands?
The Tītī / Muttonbird Islands are made up of three main groups, or "chains," of islands. These chains are officially known as the Tītī / Muttonbird Islands.
Island Chains
The islands are spread out in different areas around Stewart Island.
North-eastern Chain
This group of islands is located in Foveaux Strait. This is a body of water found to the north-east of Stewart Island. It lies between Stewart Island and Ruapuke Island.
Islands in this chain include:
- North Island
- Women's Island
- Edwards Island
- Jacky Lee Island
- Herekopare Island
- Kanetetoe Island
- The Bunker Islets
- Fish Rock
The Bunker Islets were named after Eber Bunker. He explored the Foveaux Strait area in 1808.
Eastern Chain
This smaller group of islands is found to the south of Stewart Island's east cape. They are also known as the Breaksea Islands.
Islands in this chain include:
- Rakawahakura Island
- Takawini Island
- Potuatua Island
- Pomatakiarehua Island
- Kaihuka Island
- Wharepuaitaha Island
Southern, or South-western, Chain
This chain is made up of four different groups of islands. They are located to the south-west of Stewart Island.
- Near Stewart Island: Close to Stewart Island's south-western tip is Taukihepa / Big South Cape Island. Nearby islands include Poutama, Putauhina, Solomon, Kaimohu, Pukaparara, Tamaitemioka, and Pohowaitai Islands. There are also the Putauhina Nuggets.
- Out in the Sea: About 8 kilometers (5 miles) to the north, out in the open sea, are Big Moggy, Little Moggy, and Mokinui Islands.
- The Boat Group: To the east of these islands, closer to Stewart Island, is the Boat Group. This group includes Big Island, Kundy Island, Betsy Island, and Rat Island.
- The Brothers: To the south of the Boat Group are small, rocky islands called The Brothers.
Important Bird Area
The southern Muttonbird Islands are very important for birds. They have been named an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. This is because they are a major breeding spot for two types of seabirds:
- Sooty Shearwaters: Over a million pairs of these birds come here to breed.
- Mottled Petrels: These islands are also a key breeding site for mottled petrels.
History
In May 2006, a fishing boat named Kotuku had an accident near Women's Island. This island is part of the north-eastern island chain.
