Open Bay Islands
Encyclopedia
The Open Bay Islands are located off the south-west coast of the South Island
of New Zealand
. The group comprises two main islands Taumaka and Popotai plus several smaller islets and rocks. They lie approximately 5 km (3.1 mi) offshore from the Okuru River
mouth, near Haast
and are owned by Poutini Ngai Tahu.
Taumaka is the larger island (c. 20 ha (49.4 acre), 660 m (722 yd) long and 260 m (284 yd) wide reaching a plateau 21 m (69 ft) above sea level) and is separated from Popotai (400 m (437 yd) long and 200 m (219 yd) wide) by a narrow channel.
Although introduced mammals are not known ever to have reached the islands, the introduction of weka
(a native flightless rail, Gallirallus australis) from the South Island in the early 1900s is believed to have had an adverse impact on the flora and fauna of the islands. The Open Bay Islands support several endemic species, including a terrestrial leech (Hirudobdella antipodum
), an undescribed gecko species (aff. Hoplodactylus granulatus), and a skink - the Open Bay Islands skink
.
The Department of Conservation have recommended to the Minister of Conservation that weka should be removed from the islands. The Trust which governs the island agreed to having them removed on the condition that they are not killed.
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
of 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...
. The group comprises two main islands Taumaka and Popotai plus several smaller islets and rocks. They lie approximately 5 km (3.1 mi) offshore from the Okuru River
Okuru River
The Okuru River is located on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It flows northwest for 45 kilometres from its headwaters in the Southern Alps to the west of the Haast Pass to the Tasman Sea at the northern end of Jackson Bay, 12 kilometres south of Haast.The river shares its mouth...
mouth, near Haast
Haast, New Zealand
Haast is an area in the Westland District territorial authority on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island. The Haast region covers over ....
and are owned by Poutini Ngai Tahu.
Taumaka is the larger island (c. 20 ha (49.4 acre), 660 m (722 yd) long and 260 m (284 yd) wide reaching a plateau 21 m (69 ft) above sea level) and is separated from Popotai (400 m (437 yd) long and 200 m (219 yd) wide) by a narrow channel.
Although introduced mammals are not known ever to have reached the islands, the introduction of weka
Weka
The Weka or woodhen is a flightless bird species of the rail family. It is endemic to New Zealand, where four subspecies are recognized. Weka are sturdy brown birds, about the size of a chicken. As omnivores, they feed mainly on invertebrates and fruit...
(a native flightless rail, Gallirallus australis) from the South Island in the early 1900s is believed to have had an adverse impact on the flora and fauna of the islands. The Open Bay Islands support several endemic species, including a terrestrial leech (Hirudobdella antipodum
Hirudobdella antipodum
Hirudobdella antipodum is a terrestrial leech endemic to the Open Bay Islands in New Zealand. The introduction of the weka from the mainland in the 1900s is believed to be the cause of decline in numbers of the leech....
), an undescribed gecko species (aff. Hoplodactylus granulatus), and a skink - the Open Bay Islands skink
Open Bay Islands skink
The Open Bay Islands skink, Oligosoma taumakae, is a species of skink in the family. It is recently described from the small Open Bay Islands off the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. This species is diagnosed on the basis of several morphological characteristics, and its specific...
.
The Department of Conservation have recommended to the Minister of Conservation that weka should be removed from the islands. The Trust which governs the island agreed to having them removed on the condition that they are not killed.