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Coordinates: 43°54′S 176°29′W / 43.900°S 176.483°W / -43.900; -176.483
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{{Short description|South Pacific island east of New Zealand}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2017}}
{{about|the island in New Zealand|other places|Chatham Island (disambiguation)}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{about|the island in New Zealand|other places|Chatham Island (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox islands
{{Infobox islands
| name = Chatham Island
| name = Chatham Island
| local_name = ''Rekohu'' (''[[Moriori language|Moriori]]'')<br>''Wharekauri'' (''[[Māori language|Māori]]'')
| local_name = {{lang|rrm|Rēkohu}} (''[[Moriori language|Moriori]]'')<br>{{lang|mi|Wharekauri}} (''[[Māori language|Māori]]'')
| image_name = Chatham Islands from space ISS005-E-15265.jpg
| image_name = Chatham Islands from space ISS005-E-15265.jpg
| image_caption = Chatham Island (left) from space
| image_caption = Chatham Island (left) from space
Line 20: Line 20:
| highest_mount =
| highest_mount =
| elevation_m =
| elevation_m =
| population = 600
| population = 660
| population_as_of = 2013
| population_as_of = 2022
| density_km2 =
| density_km2 =
| ethnic_groups = [[Moriori]]
| ethnic_groups = [[Moriori]], [[Māori people|Māori]]
| country = [[New Zealand]]
| country = [[New Zealand]]
| additional_info =
| additional_info =
}}
}}
'''Chatham Island''' is by far the largest island of the [[Chatham Islands]] group, in the south Pacific Ocean off the eastern coast of [[New Zealand]]'s [[South Island]]. It is said to be "halfway between the [[equator]] and the pole, and right on the [[International Date Line]]", though the point (180°, 45°S) in fact lies ca. 173 miles WSW of the island's westernmost point. The island is called ''Rekohu'' ("misty skies") in [[Moriori language|Moriori]], and ''Wharekauri'' in [[Māori language|Māori]].<ref name="polp">Government of New Zealand, Dept. of Conservation (1999) ''[http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/about-doc/role/policies-and-plans/chatham-islands-cms.pdf Chatham IslandsConservation Management Strategy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607050552/http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/about-doc/role/policies-and-plans/chatham-islands-cms.pdf# |date=7 June 2011 }}''. Retrieved 13 July 2012.</ref>
'''Chatham Island''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|tʃ|æ|t|ə|m}} {{respell|CHAT|əm}}) ([[Moriori language|Moriori]]: '''{{lang|rrm|Rēkohu}}''', {{abbr|lit.|literally}} 'Misty Sun'; {{langx|mi|'''Wharekauri'''}}) is the largest island of the [[Chatham Islands]] group, in the south Pacific Ocean off the eastern coast of [[New Zealand]]'s [[South Island]]. It is said to be "halfway between the [[equator]] and the pole, and right on the [[International Date Line]]", although that point is 173 miles{{Clarify|date=March 2024|reason=Is this nautical miles of international miles?}} WSW of the island's westernmost point. The island is called ''Rekohu'' ("misty skies") in [[Moriori language|Moriori]], and ''Wharekauri'' in [[Māori language|Māori]].<ref name="polp">Government of New Zealand, Dept. of Conservation (1999) ''[http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/about-doc/role/policies-and-plans/chatham-islands-cms.pdf Chatham IslandsConservation Management Strategy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607050552/http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/about-doc/role/policies-and-plans/chatham-islands-cms.pdf# |date=7 June 2011 }}''. Retrieved 13 July 2012.</ref>


The island was named after the [[survey ship]] [[HMS Chatham (1788)|HMS ''Chatham'']] which was the first European ship to locate the island in 1791.<ref name="Hooper2006">{{cite book|author=Steven Hooper|title=Pacific Encounters: Art & Divinity in Polynesia 1760-1860|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b2S55LTEAogC&pg=PA119|accessdate=17 July 2012|date=30 July 2006|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|isbn=978-0-8248-3084-7|page=119}}</ref> It covers an area of {{Convert|920|km2|0}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/chatham-islands/1 |title=Story: Chatham Islands Page 1 – Overview |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=7 September 2012 |work=web page |publisher=The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |accessdate=15 December 2012}}</ref>
The island was named after the [[survey ship]] [[HMS Chatham (1788)|HMS ''Chatham'']] which was the first European ship to locate the island in 1791.<ref name="Hooper2006">{{cite book|author=Steven Hooper|title=Pacific Encounters: Art & Divinity in Polynesia 1760-1860|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b2S55LTEAogC&pg=PA119|access-date=17 July 2012|date=30 July 2006|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|isbn=978-0-8248-3084-7|page=119}}</ref> It covers an area of {{Cvt|920|km2|0}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/chatham-islands/1 |title=Story: Chatham Islands Page 1 – Overview |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=7 September 2012 |work=web page |publisher=The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref>
Chatham Island lies {{convert|650|km|0|abbr=on}} south-east of [[Cape Turnagain]], the nearest point of mainland New Zealand to the island.
Chatham Island lies {{convert|650|km|0|abbr=on}} south-east of [[Cape Turnagain]], the nearest point of mainland New Zealand to the island.


== Geography ==
== Geography ==
[[File:Flag of Chatham Islands.svg|left|thumb|Unofficial flag of the Chatham Islands]]
[[File:Flag of Chatham Islands.svg|left|thumb|Unofficial flag of the Chatham Islands<ref>{{cite web |title=Kopinga marae opening |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/37808/kopinga-marae-opening |website=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |access-date=2 March 2024 |quote=The unofficial flag of the Chatham Islands is visible above the New Zealand flag.}}</ref>]]
The geography of the roughly T-shaped island is dominated by three features: two bays and a lagoon. More than half of the west coast of Chatham is taken up by the deep indentation of Petre Bay. The island's main settlement of [[Waitangi, Chatham Island|Waitangi]] is located in a small indentation in [[Petre Bay]]'s southern coast. Other significant settlements are [[Kaingaroa, Chatham Island|Kaingaroa]] on the northeast promontory, and [[Owenga]] on the south side of Hanson Bay.
The geography of the roughly T-shaped island is dominated by three features: two bays and a lagoon. More than half of the west coast of Chatham is taken up by the deep indentation of Petre Bay. The island's main settlement of [[Waitangi, Chatham Island|Waitangi]] is located in a small indentation in [[Petre Bay]]'s southern coast. Other significant settlements are [[Kaingaroa, Chatham Island|Kaingaroa]] on the northeast promontory, and [[Owenga]] on the south side of Hanson Bay.


On the east coast is the even larger [[Hanson Bay]], which stretches for the entire length of the island ({{convert|35|km}}).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://keaimages.com/p993457068/h39466780#h39466780 |title=Chatham Island Wildlife & Landscapes |author=Ross Curtis |year=2011 |work=web page |publisher=Ross Curtis |accessdate=14 December 2012}}</ref>
On the east coast is the even larger [[Hanson Bay]], which stretches for the entire length of the island ({{convert|35|km}}).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://keaimages.com/p993457068/h39466780#h39466780 |title=Chatham Island Wildlife & Landscapes |author=Ross Curtis |year=2011 |work=web page |publisher=Ross Curtis |access-date=14 December 2012 |archive-date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018134907/https://keaimages.com/chathamislands/h39466780#h39466780 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


Much of the area between the bays is taken up by the large [[Te Whanga Lagoon]], which drains to the sea to the east, into the southern half of Hanson Bay. This lagoon covers about {{Convert|160|km2|0}},<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/chatham-islands/6/4|title=Te Whanga Lagoon|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=7 September 2012 |work=web page |publisher=The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |accessdate=15 December 2012}}</ref> and drains several small rivers that rise in the hills at the south end of the island. The next largest lakes are [[Lake Rangitai (Chatham Island)|Rangitai]] and [[lake Huro (Chatham Island)|Huro]], respectively northeast and southwest of Te Whanga.<ref name="nztopo">''[http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/ci283/ Chatham Island]'', NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 14 July 2012.</ref> The central and north part of Chatham Island are mostly flat, with altitudes raging from a few metres on the northeast and centre to 50 m on the northwest, but with a few scattered hillocks.<ref name="nztopo"/> The south part is higher, generally sloping down towards north and west; about half of it is over 150 m above sea level. The south coast of the island is mostly cliffs 100 m high or more. The highest point of the island (299 m) lies close to its southernmost point.<ref name="nztopo"/>
Much of the area between the bays is taken up by the large [[Te Whanga Lagoon]], which drains to the sea to the east, into the southern half of Hanson Bay. This lagoon covers about {{Convert|160|km2|0}},<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/chatham-islands/6/4|title=Te Whanga Lagoon|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=7 September 2012 |work=web page |publisher=The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref> and drains several small rivers that rise in the hills at the south end of the island. The next largest lakes are [[Rangitahi Lake|Rangitahi]] and [[lake Huro|Huro]], respectively northeast and southwest of Te Whanga.<ref name="nztopo">''[http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/ci283/ Chatham Island]'', NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 14 July 2012.</ref> The central and north part of Chatham Island are mostly flat, with altitudes ranging from a few metres on the northeast and centre to 50 m on the northwest, but with a few scattered hillocks.<ref name="nztopo"/> The south part is higher, generally sloping down towards north and west; about half of it is over 150 m above sea level. The south coast of the island is mostly cliffs 100 m high or more. The highest point of the island (299 m) lies close to its southernmost point.<ref name="nztopo"/>

[[File:Volcanic_plugs_in_north_Chatham_from_Tawirikoko.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|[[Volcanic plug]]s in north Chatham from 109m Tawirikoko to 99m Puhina, 134m Hemokawa, 151m Hokopoi, 125m Motuariki Hill, 149m Rangitihi, 188m Mt Chudleigh and 178m Korako.]]
{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{{col-break}}
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! Name !! Alt. !! Coords
! Name !! Alt. !! Coords
|-
|-
| Huro, Lake || || {{coord|43.9463|S|176.5115|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
| [[Lake Huro|Huro, Lake]] || || {{coord|43.9463|S|176.5115|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
|-
|-
| Kaimoumi, Lake || || {{coord|43.7553|S|176.4010|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
| Kaimoumi, Lake || || {{coord|43.7553|S|176.4010|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
Line 69: Line 71:
| Pakauwera Pond || || {{coord|43.7471|S|176.4883|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
| Pakauwera Pond || || {{coord|43.7471|S|176.4883|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
|-
|-
| Pateriki, Lake || || {{coord|43.7532|S|176.3091|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
| [[Lake Pateriki]] || || {{coord|43.7532|S|176.3091|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
|-
|-
| Pukawa, Lake || || {{coord|44.0679|S|176.5613|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
| Pukawa, Lake || || {{coord|44.0679|S|176.5613|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
Line 75: Line 77:
| Rakeinui, Lake || 244 || {{coord|44.0912|S|176.5839|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
| Rakeinui, Lake || 244 || {{coord|44.0912|S|176.5839|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
|-
|-
| Rangitai, Lake || || {{coord|43.7644|S|176.3460|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
| [[Rangitahi Lake]] || || {{coord|43.7644|S|176.3460|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
|-
|-
| Rotoeka, Lake || || {{coord|43.7760|S|176.5945|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
| Rotoeka, Lake || || {{coord|43.7760|S|176.5945|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
Line 89: Line 91:
| Te Rangatapu || 263 || {{coord|44.1082|S|176.5884|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
| Te Rangatapu || 263 || {{coord|44.1082|S|176.5884|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
|-
|-
| Te Roto || || {{coord|43.8204|S|176.5838|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
| [[Te Roto]] || || {{coord|43.8204|S|176.5838|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
|-
|-
| Te Wapu || || {{coord|43.7421|S|176.2618|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
| [[Lake Te Wapu]] || || {{coord|43.7421|S|176.2618|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
|-
|-
| Tennants Lake || || {{coord|43.8266|S|176.5717|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
| Tennants Lake || || {{coord|43.8266|S|176.5717|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
|-
|-
| Tuku A Taupo, Lake || || {{coord|44.0669|S|176.5256|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
| Tuku-a-taupo, Lake || || {{coord|44.0669|S|176.5256|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
|-
|-
| Waikauia, Lake || || {{coord|43.7179|S|176.6233|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
| Waikauia, Lake || || {{coord|43.7179|S|176.6233|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
Line 141: Line 143:
|-
|-
| Tawirikoko || 109 || {{coord|43.7988|S|176.7282|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
| Tawirikoko || 109 || {{coord|43.7988|S|176.7282|W|source:NZTopoMap|display=inline}}
[[File:Volcanic_plugs_in_north_Chatham_from_Tawirikoko.jpg|thumb|Volcanic plugs in north Chatham from 109m Tawirikoko to 99m Puhina, 134m Hemokawa, 151m Hokopoi, 125m Motuariki Hill, 149m Rangitihi, 188m Mt Chudleigh and 178m Korako.]]
|}
|}
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 166: Line 167:
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}

==Climate==
Chatham Island has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Koppen]]: ''Cfb'')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=939870&cityname=Waitangi%2C+Northland%2C+New+Zealand&units= |title=Waitangi, New Zealand Climate Summary |publisher=Weatherbase |access-date=11 January 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924164325/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=939870&cityname=Waitangi%2C+Northland%2C+New+Zealand&units= |url-status=live }}</ref> characterised by a narrow temperature range and relatively frequent rainfall. Their isolated position far from any sizeable landmass renders the record high temperature for the main settlement (Waitangi) just {{cvt|23.8|C|F}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=939870&cityname=Waitangi%2C+Northland%2C+New+Zealand&units= |title=Waitangi, New Zealand Temperature Averages |publisher=Weatherbase |access-date=11 January 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924112715/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=939870&cityname=Waitangi%2C+Northland%2C+New+Zealand&units= |url-status=live }}</ref> The climate is cool, wet and windy, with average high temperatures between {{cvt|15|and|20|°C|°F}} in summer, and between {{cvt|5|and|10|°C|°F}} in July (in the Southern Hemisphere winter). Snowfall is extremely rare, the fall recorded near sea level in July 2015 marking the first such reading for several decades.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/282430/drought,-cyclone-then-snow-for-chathams-farms |title=Drought, cyclone then snow for Chathams farms |date=2015-08-25 |access-date=17 February 2017 |archive-date=18 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218065256/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/282430/drought,-cyclone-then-snow-for-chathams-farms |url-status=live }}</ref> Under the [[Trewartha climate classification]], Chatham Island has a [[humid subtropical climate]] (Cf) for the lack of cold weather during the winter and a daily mean temperature above {{cvt|10|C|F}} for eight months or more.
{{Weather box
|location = Chatham Islands (1991–2020)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan high C = 19.2
|Feb high C = 19.4
|Mar high C = 18.2
|Apr high C = 16.1
|May high C = 14.0
|Jun high C = 12.0
|Jul high C = 11.3
|Aug high C = 12.0
|Sep high C = 13.2
|Oct high C = 14.5
|Nov high C = 16.0
|Dec high C = 17.8
| year high C = 15.3
|Jan mean C = 15.7
|Feb mean C = 16.1
|Mar mean C = 15.0
|Apr mean C = 13.1
|May mean C = 11.1
|Jun mean C = 9.3
|Jul mean C = 8.4
|Aug mean C = 9.0
|Sep mean C = 10.1
|Oct mean C = 11.1
|Nov mean C = 12.5
|Dec mean C = 14.4
| year mean C = 12.2
|Jan low C = 12.1
|Feb low C = 12.7
|Mar low C = 11.8
|Apr low C = 10.1
|May low C = 8.1
|Jun low C = 6.5
|Jul low C = 5.6
|Aug low C = 6.1
|Sep low C = 6.9
|Oct low C = 7.7
|Nov low C = 8.9
|Dec low C = 11.0
| year low C = 9.0
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 49.2
|Feb rain mm = 64.0
|Mar rain mm = 75.7
|Apr rain mm = 79.0
|May rain mm = 88.3
|Jun rain mm = 93.7
|Jul rain mm = 72.3
|Aug rain mm = 71.0
|Sep rain mm = 71.3
|Oct rain mm = 56.2
|Nov rain mm = 53.5
|Dec rain mm = 62.9
|year rain mm =
| Jan rain days = 6.8
| Feb rain days = 7.0
| Mar rain days = 8.6
| Apr rain days = 11.7
| May rain days = 14.4
| Jun rain days = 15.4
| Jul rain days = 15.3
| Aug rain days = 12.8
| Sep rain days = 12.0
| Oct rain days = 10.7
| Nov rain days = 8.4
| Dec rain days = 10.1
| unit rain days = 1.0 mm
| Jan humidity = 75.5
| Feb humidity = 77.9
| Mar humidity = 80.6
| Apr humidity = 81.4
| May humidity = 84.6
| Jun humidity = 86.1
| Jul humidity = 86.0
| Aug humidity = 82.9
| Sep humidity = 79.6
| Oct humidity = 77.3
| Nov humidity = 76.0
| Dec humidity = 76.2
|Jan sun = 191.3
|Feb sun = 145.5
|Mar sun = 124.2
|Apr sun = 106.3
|May sun = 81.2
|Jun sun = 61.8
|Jul sun = 74.4
|Aug sun = 101.0
|Sep sun = 109.1
|Oct sun = 129.7
|Nov sun = 148.9
|Dec sun = 164.0
|year sun = 1437.3
|source 1 = NIWA Climate Data (sun 1981–2010)<ref name = NIWA>{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240520001949/https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities
| archive-date = 20 May 2024
| url = https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities
| title = Climate data and activities
| publisher= NIWA
| access-date = 20 May 2024}}</ref><ref name="niwa">{{cite web |url=http://www.niwa.co.nz/education-and-training/schools/resources/climate |title=Climate Data and Activities |publisher=NIWA Science |access-date=15 October 2013 |date=2007-02-27 |archive-date=7 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107073139/https://www.niwa.co.nz/education-and-training/schools/resources/climate%0a |url-status=live }}</ref>
|date= November 2011}}


== Flora and fauna ==
== Flora and fauna ==
Chatham Island hosts the only known breeding population of the [[endemic]] and critically endangered [[magenta petrel]] or tāiko (''Pterodroma magentae''). The seabird was thought to be extinct until 1978, and had a population of under 200 in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chatham Island tāiko |url=http://www.doc.govt.nz:80/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/chatham-island-taiko |publisher=New Zealand Department of Conservation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619090450/http://www.doc.govt.nz:80/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/chatham-island-taiko |archive-date=19 June 2017 |url-status=live}} The indicated year is based on the change in the specified population in the preceding archived webpage.</ref>
Chatham Island hosts the only known breeding populations of the endemic and critically endangered [[Magenta petrel]].


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
Chatham Island (or "Isle") is featured in the first and in the final chapter of ''[[Cloud Atlas (novel)|Cloud Atlas]]'', the 2004 novel by [[David Mitchell (author)|David Mitchell]]. The novel was adapted [[Cloud Atlas (film)|for screen]].<ref name="David Walsh 2 November 2012">{{cite web | url=http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/nov2012/clou-n02.shtml | title=''Cloud Atlas'': Six stories in search of a genuine connection | date=2 November 2012 | accessdate=19 November 2012 | author=Walsh, David}}</ref>
Chatham Island (or "Isle") is featured in the first and in the final chapter of ''[[Cloud Atlas (novel)|Cloud Atlas]]'', the 2004 novel by [[David Mitchell (author)|David Mitchell]]. The novel was adapted [[Cloud Atlas (film)|for screen]] in 2012.<ref name="David Walsh 2 November 2012">{{cite web | url=http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/nov2012/clou-n02.shtml | title=''Cloud Atlas'': Six stories in search of a genuine connection | date=2 November 2012 | access-date=19 November 2012 | author=Walsh, David}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Chatham Standard Time Zone]]
* [[Chatham Standard Time Zone]]
* [[List of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands#List of subantarctic islands|List of sub-Antarctic islands]]
* [[List of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands#List of Antarctic islands north of 60° S|List of Antarctic islands north of 60° S]]
* [[List of islands of New Zealand]]
* [[List of islands of New Zealand]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.jstor.org/stable/1797646?seq=1 An 1841 account of the Chatham Islands]



{{Chatham Islands}}
{{Chatham Islands}}


[[Category:Islands of the Chatham Islands]]
[[Category:Chatham Island| ]]
[[Category:Chatham Island| ]]
[[Category:Islands of the Chatham Islands]]

Latest revision as of 21:22, 10 December 2024

This article is about the island in New Zealand. For other places, see Chatham Island (disambiguation).

Chatham Island
Rēkohu (Moriori)
Wharekauri (Māori)
Chatham Island (left) from space
Map showing location of Chatham Island
Geography
Coordinates43°54′S 176°29′W / 43.900°S 176.483°W / -43.900; -176.483
ArchipelagoChatham Islands
Area920 km2 (360 sq mi)
Administration
Demographics
Population660 (2022)
Ethnic groupsMoriori, Māori

Chatham Island (/ˈtʃætəm/ CHAT-əm) (Moriori: Rēkohu, lit. 'Misty Sun'; Māori: Wharekauri) is the largest island of the Chatham Islands group, in the south Pacific Ocean off the eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island. It is said to be "halfway between the equator and the pole, and right on the International Date Line", although that point is 173 miles[clarification needed] WSW of the island's westernmost point. The island is called Rekohu ("misty skies") in Moriori, and Wharekauri in Māori.[1]

The island was named after the survey ship HMS Chatham which was the first European ship to locate the island in 1791.[2] It covers an area of 920 km2 (355 sq mi).[3] Chatham Island lies 650 km (404 mi) south-east of Cape Turnagain, the nearest point of mainland New Zealand to the island.

Geography

[edit]
Unofficial flag of the Chatham Islands[4]

The geography of the roughly T-shaped island is dominated by three features: two bays and a lagoon. More than half of the west coast of Chatham is taken up by the deep indentation of Petre Bay. The island's main settlement of Waitangi is located in a small indentation in Petre Bay's southern coast. Other significant settlements are Kaingaroa on the northeast promontory, and Owenga on the south side of Hanson Bay.

On the east coast is the even larger Hanson Bay, which stretches for the entire length of the island (35 kilometres (22 mi)).[5]

Much of the area between the bays is taken up by the large Te Whanga Lagoon, which drains to the sea to the east, into the southern half of Hanson Bay. This lagoon covers about 160 square kilometres (62 sq mi),[6] and drains several small rivers that rise in the hills at the south end of the island. The next largest lakes are Rangitahi and Huro, respectively northeast and southwest of Te Whanga.[7] The central and north part of Chatham Island are mostly flat, with altitudes ranging from a few metres on the northeast and centre to 50 m on the northwest, but with a few scattered hillocks.[7] The south part is higher, generally sloping down towards north and west; about half of it is over 150 m above sea level. The south coast of the island is mostly cliffs 100 m high or more. The highest point of the island (299 m) lies close to its southernmost point.[7]

Volcanic plugs in north Chatham from 109m Tawirikoko to 99m Puhina, 134m Hemokawa, 151m Hokopoi, 125m Motuariki Hill, 149m Rangitihi, 188m Mt Chudleigh and 178m Korako.

Climate

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Chatham Island has an oceanic climate (Koppen: Cfb)[8] characterised by a narrow temperature range and relatively frequent rainfall. Their isolated position far from any sizeable landmass renders the record high temperature for the main settlement (Waitangi) just 23.8 °C (74.8 °F).[9] The climate is cool, wet and windy, with average high temperatures between 15 and 20 °C (59 and 68 °F) in summer, and between 5 and 10 °C (41 and 50 °F) in July (in the Southern Hemisphere winter). Snowfall is extremely rare, the fall recorded near sea level in July 2015 marking the first such reading for several decades.[10] Under the Trewartha climate classification, Chatham Island has a humid subtropical climate (Cf) for the lack of cold weather during the winter and a daily mean temperature above 10 °C (50 °F) for eight months or more.

Climate data for Chatham Islands (1991–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 19.2
(66.6) 		19.4
(66.9) 		18.2
(64.8) 		16.1
(61.0) 		14.0
(57.2) 		12.0
(53.6) 		11.3
(52.3) 		12.0
(53.6) 		13.2
(55.8) 		14.5
(58.1) 		16.0
(60.8) 		17.8
(64.0) 		15.3
(59.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) 15.7
(60.3) 		16.1
(61.0) 		15.0
(59.0) 		13.1
(55.6) 		11.1
(52.0) 		9.3
(48.7) 		8.4
(47.1) 		9.0
(48.2) 		10.1
(50.2) 		11.1
(52.0) 		12.5
(54.5) 		14.4
(57.9) 		12.2
(54.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 12.1
(53.8) 		12.7
(54.9) 		11.8
(53.2) 		10.1
(50.2) 		8.1
(46.6) 		6.5
(43.7) 		5.6
(42.1) 		6.1
(43.0) 		6.9
(44.4) 		7.7
(45.9) 		8.9
(48.0) 		11.0
(51.8) 		9.0
(48.2)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 49.2
(1.94) 		64.0
(2.52) 		75.7
(2.98) 		79.0
(3.11) 		88.3
(3.48) 		93.7
(3.69) 		72.3
(2.85) 		71.0
(2.80) 		71.3
(2.81) 		56.2
(2.21) 		53.5
(2.11) 		62.9
(2.48) 		837.1
(32.98)
Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) 6.8 7.0 8.6 11.7 14.4 15.4 15.3 12.8 12.0 10.7 8.4 10.1 133.2
Average relative humidity (%) 75.5 77.9 80.6 81.4 84.6 86.1 86.0 82.9 79.6 77.3 76.0 76.2 80.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 191.3 145.5 124.2 106.3 81.2 61.8 74.4 101.0 109.1 129.7 148.9 164.0 1,437.3
Source: NIWA Climate Data (sun 1981–2010)[11][12]

Flora and fauna

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Chatham Island hosts the only known breeding population of the endemic and critically endangered magenta petrel or tāiko (Pterodroma magentae). The seabird was thought to be extinct until 1978, and had a population of under 200 in 2017.[13]

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Chatham Island (or "Isle") is featured in the first and in the final chapter of Cloud Atlas, the 2004 novel by David Mitchell. The novel was adapted for screen in 2012.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Government of New Zealand, Dept. of Conservation (1999) Chatham IslandsConservation Management Strategy Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  2. ^ Steven Hooper (30 July 2006). Pacific Encounters: Art & Divinity in Polynesia 1760-1860. University of Hawaii Press. p. 119. ISBN 978-0-8248-3084-7. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  3. ^ "Story: Chatham Islands Page 1 – Overview". web page. The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  4. ^ "Kopinga marae opening". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 2 March 2024. The unofficial flag of the Chatham Islands is visible above the New Zealand flag.
  5. ^ Ross Curtis (2011). "Chatham Island Wildlife & Landscapes". web page. Ross Curtis. Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  6. ^ "Te Whanga Lagoon". web page. The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Chatham Island, NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  8. ^ "Waitangi, New Zealand Climate Summary". Weatherbase. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  9. ^ "Waitangi, New Zealand Temperature Averages". Weatherbase. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  10. ^ "Drought, cyclone then snow for Chathams farms". 25 August 2015. Archived from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  11. ^ "Climate data and activities". NIWA. Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Climate Data and Activities". NIWA Science. 27 February 2007. Archived from the original on 7 January 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  13. ^ "Chatham Island tāiko". New Zealand Department of Conservation. Archived from the original on 19 June 2017. The indicated year is based on the change in the specified population in the preceding archived webpage.
  14. ^ Walsh, David (2 November 2012). "Cloud Atlas: Six stories in search of a genuine connection". Retrieved 19 November 2012.
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