Codfish Island or Whenua Hou is a small island (14 km² (5.4 sq mi)) located to the west of Stewart Island/Rakiura

Stewart Island/Rakiura

Stewart Island/Rakiura is the third-largest island of New Zealand. It lies south of the South Island, across Foveaux Strait. Its permanent population is slightly over 400 people, most of whom live in the settlement of Oban.- History and naming :...

 in southern New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

. It reaches a height of 249 m (817 ft) close to the south coast. Following the eradication of possums and weka, it is a predator-free bird sanctuary and the focus of Kakapo

Kakapo

The Kakapo , Strigops habroptila , also called owl parrot, is a species of large, flightless nocturnal parrot endemic to New Zealand...

 recovery efforts. The majority of the breeding population of critically endangered kakapo are currently located on this island. The island is also home to Southern Short-tailed Bats

Mystacinidae

Mystacinidae is a family of unusual bats, the New Zealand short-tailed bats. There is one living genus, Mystacina, with two extant species, one of which is believed to have become extinct in the 1960s. They are medium-sized bats, about in length, with grey, velvety fur.Mystacinids are the most...

, Kākā

Kaka

The New Zealand Kaka, also known as Kākā, is a New Zealand parrot endemic to the native forests of New Zealand.-Description:...

, Fernbird

Fernbird

The Fernbird is an insectivorous bird endemic to New Zealand. The Māori names are Kōtātā or Mātātā. It is a rich brown above and white below, with brown spots on both the throat and breast. Early settlers called it the "Swamp Sparrow" no doubt because of its colouration. The tail feathers are...

s, Red-fronted and Yellow-crowned Parakeet

Yellow-crowned Parakeet

The Yellow-crowned Parakeet, Cyanoramphus auriceps, is a species of parakeet endemic to the islands of New Zealand. The species is found across the main three islands of New Zealand, North Island, South Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura, as well as on the subantarctic Auckland Islands...

s, little penguin

Little Penguin

The Little Penguin is the smallest species of penguin. The penguin, which usually grows to an average of in height and in length , is found on the coastlines of southern Australia and New Zealand, with possible records from Chile.Apart from Little Penguins, they have several common names...

s, pacific black duck

Pacific Black Duck

The Pacific Black Duck is a dabbling duck found in much of Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, and many islands in the southwestern Pacific, reaching to the Caroline Islands in the north and French Polynesia in the east. It is usually called the Grey Duck in New Zealand...

s and a recently introduced population of Yellowhead

Yellowhead (bird)

The Yellowhead or Mohua is a small insectivorous, passerine bird endemic to the South Island of New Zealand...

s (Mohua). Yellow-eyed

Yellow-eyed Penguin

The Yellow-eyed Penguin or Hoiho is a penguin native to New Zealand. Previously thought closely related to the Little Penguin , molecular research has shown it more closely related to penguins of the genus Eudyptes...

 and Fiordland Penguin

Fiordland Penguin

The Fiordland Crested Penguin , also known as Tawaki , is a species of crested penguin from New Zealand...

s breed along the coastline.

The island is frequented by scientific researchers and Department of Conservation field workers along with public volunteers. The sole hut is located at Sealer's Bay in the northeast, with access by light aircraft or helicopter. The island is closed to visitors and unauthorised landing is prohibited.

The English name refers to the endemic blue cod

Blue cod

Blue cod, Parapercis colias, is a temperate marine fish of the family Pinguipedidae. It is also known variously as Boston blue cod, New Zealand cod, sand perch or its Māori names rawaru and pakirikiri....

 or rawaru / pakirikiri, which is fished commercially in surrounding waters by trapping in baited pots. Whenua Hou means "new land" in Maori

Maori language

Māori or te reo Māori , commonly te reo , is the language of the indigenous population of New Zealand, the Māori. It has the status of an official language in New Zealand...

.

External links

• Minders: The Kakapo caregivers of Codfish Island New Zealand Geographic