Total islands 1 Region Southland Region Area 14 km² | Highest elevation 249 m (817 ft) Population (?) Elevation 249 m | |
 | ||
Codfish Island or Whenua Hou is a small island (14 km2 or 5.4 sq mi) located to the west of Stewart Island/Rakiura in southern New Zealand. It reaches a height of 249 m (817 ft) close to the south coast.
Contents
Map of Codfish Island, Southland, New Zealand
The English name refers to the endemic blue cod or rawaru / pakirikiri, which is fished commercially in surrounding waters by trapping in baited pots. Whenua Hou means "new land" in Maori. Codfish Island is home to Sirocco, an internationally famous kakapo, a rare species of parrot.
Wildlife
Following the eradication of possums and the transfer of weka to other islands, Codfish is a predator-free bird sanctuary and the focus of kakapo recovery efforts. It holds the majority of the breeding population of critically endangered kakapo. Its most famous resident is Sirocco, a kakapo born in 1997; Sirocco was the government's "Official Spokesbird for Conservation" in 2010.
Codfish Island is also home to southern short-tailed bats, kākā, fernbirds, red-fronted and yellow-crowned parakeet, Pacific black ducks and a recently introduced population of yellowheads (mohua).
The island has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because of its significance as a breeding site for several species of seabirds, including Fiordland and yellow-eyed penguins, and mottled, Cook's and South Georgia diving petrels.
Access
The island is visited by scientific researchers and Department of Conservation field workers along with volunteers working on conservation programs. The sole hut is located at Sealer's Bay in the northeast, with access by light aircraft or helicopter. The island is closed to casual visitors and unauthorised landing is prohibited.