Te Hāwere-a-Maki / Goat Island facts for kids
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Te Hāwere-a-Maki (Māori)
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Goat Island, being close to the shore, is a magnet for divers.
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| Geography | |
| Location | Auckland Region |
| Coordinates | 36°15′55″S 174°47′52″E / 36.2652449°S 174.7978878°E |
| Administration | |
Goat Island, or Te Hāwere-a-Maki in the Māori tongue, is a very small island in New Zealand. It is about 1 hectare (2.5 acres) in size. The island is located close to the North Island coast. You can find it north of Auckland and northeast of Warkworth. It is also directly west of Little Barrier Island.
Goat Island is part of the Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve. This reserve was New Zealand's very first marine reserve. A marine reserve is a special area in the ocean where sea life is protected.
The local Māori tribe, Ngāti Manuhiri, consider Goat Island very important. They believe their old ancestral canoe, called Moe Karaka, landed nearby.
Research and Education
Besides being a marine reserve, Goat Island is also a scenic reserve. This means its natural beauty is protected.
The University of Auckland has a research center at Goat Island. It is called the Leigh Marine Laboratory. This lab is led by Professor John Montgomery. It will also be the home for the University's new South Pacific Centre for Marine Science (SPCMS).
In 2008, Prime Minister Helen Clark helped launch a campaign. This campaign aimed to raise money for the SPCMS.
Nearby Islands
Takangaroa Island is another island in the same area. It used to be known as Goat Island as well.
Animals and Plants
Goat Island and the area around it are home to a special beetle. This beetle is called Hyphalus wisei. It is an endemic species, which means it is found only in this area.
