Pigeon Island / Wāwāhi Waka
Pigeon Island / Wāwāhi Waka in Lake Wakatipu
Aerial graphic of Pigeon Island / Wāwāhi Waka
Geography
Coordinates44°55′20″S 168°23′50″E / 44.92222°S 168.39722°E / -44.92222; 168.39722
Total islands1
Area1.7 km2 (0.66 sq mi)
Administration
New Zealand
Lake Wakatipu
Pigeon Island photo from 1913

Pigeon Island / Wāwāhi Waka is an island in the northern reaches of New Zealand's Lake Wakatipu, near the township of Glenorchy. It is 170 hectares in size and is the largest island in the lake.[1] In 1884, during Queen Victoria's reign, it was gifted by the Crown as a reserve to the people of Queenstown district for their use and enjoyment.[2]

There are several walking tracks around the island which makes it easy to navigate to most parts of the island.

Because its proximity to the lake creates a mild climate it is the only place in the Wakatipu Basin in which naturally occurring Kahikatea can be found.

Flora and fauna

Several native New Zealand birds can be found on Pigeon Island / Wāwāhi Waka, including tūī, kererū, bellbird, pipipi and yellow-crowned parakeet. Buff weka were translocated from Stevensons Island in 2006 and are now commonly seen.[3]

As well as kahikatea (white pine) other native tree species include: miro, matai, rata, mistletoe and red beech.[4]

Restoration

The Wakatipu Islands Reforestation Trust was set up in 1999 to replant native trees on the Lake Wakatipu Islands concentrating on Pigeon Island mainly. Many volunteers have made the trip to the island since this time to replant trees such as rimu, kahikatea and beech. The aim is to restore the islands to their natural state without introduced predators such as stoats and rats, including the reintroduction of bird and insects, the most successful so far being the buff weka translocation programme.[5]

Threats

Fire has been a serious threat to the island with large areas burnt in incidents in 1996 and 2003. These fires have usually been attributed to open fires lit by people camping on or near the beach but no one has been prosecuted for this. Many large trees including red beech and kahikatea were destroyed, slowing down the regeneration attempts of the islands vegetation. The charred remains of the trunks can still be seen in many places.

In 2009 it was discovered someone had used a chainsaw to remove parts of a rata tree.[6] Taking anything from the island is illegal and can compromise its status as a protected sanctuary. It was discovered later in the year the damage was done by two men who had to pay $3000 in costs.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Data Table - Protected Areas - LINZ Data Service (recorded area 170 ha)". Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  2. ↑ "Queenstown Lakes District Council - Pigeon Island". www.qldc.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 11 August 2010.
  3. ↑ "Queenstown Lakes District Council – Buff Weka Translocation Programme". Qldc.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 29 April 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  4. ↑ "Queenstown Lakes District Council – Pigeon Island". Qldc.govt.nz. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  5. ↑ "Tree-planting bid to make safe haven | Otago Daily Times Online News : Otago, South Island, New Zealand & International News". Otago Daily Times. 17 August 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  6. ↑ "Theft of rata from island an 'insult' | Otago Daily Times Online News : Otago, South Island, New Zealand & International News". Otago Daily Times. 21 July 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  7. ↑ "Queenstown Lakes District Council – Press Releases – Pigeon Island Resolve". Qldc.govt.nz. 21 October 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
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