Portland Island (New Zealand)
Portland Island, also called Waikawa,[1][2][3] is a small island off the southern tip of the Mahia Peninsula on the North Island of New Zealand. It is used for sheep farming.
| Native name: Waikawa | |
|---|---|
| Geography | |
| Location | Hawke's Bay region |
| Coordinates | 39°17′S 177°52′E |
| Area | 1.4–3.0 km2 (0.54–1.16 sq mi) |
| Length | 3.26 km (2.026 mi) |
| Width | 0.65 - 0.98 km (-0.205 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 106 m (348 ft) |
| Administration | |
NASA satellite image of the Mahia Peninsula, showing Portland Island close to the peninsula's southern tip
The area of the island fluctuates rapidly between high and low tides due to a shelf of rocks surrounding the east, north and west coast of the island. During low tide the area of the island can grow up to 3 km², while during high tide it shrinks down to only 1.4 km². This makes access by boat to the island rather difficult, despite it being only a kilometer offshore.
See also
- List of islands of New Zealand
- List of islands
- Desert island
References
- Pollock, Kerryn (30 November 2015). "Story – Hawke's Bay places – Page 11: Mahia". www.teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- "Portland Island Lighthouse in Wairoa" (PDF). www.visitwairoa.co.nz. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- "Tragedy strikes endangered New Zealand shore plover population". www.doc.govt.nz. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
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