Discover the Chatham Islands

Your Chatham Islands adventure holiday will be a journey of discovery. Take a step back in time to how life used to be. You will pleasantly surprised as these mysterious islands open up their secrets to you. Landscapes with volcanic peaks thrusting up out of rolling peatland; forest-topped, towering cliffs; the vast expanse of Te Whanga lagoon, the endless kilometres of sandy beaches and the ever present ocean.

Waitangi West

The Northwest coast is very remote and rocky, with strong tidal rips, making the coastline treacherous for the early sailing ships. Many early settlers and sailors lost their lives along this coastline. The shoreline is mainly Chatham Schist with some obvious evidence historical volcanic activity. The Maunganui Stone cottage, which was built entirely from local stone around 1870 and has been lovingly restored is a must see.

Wharekauri

Wharekauri meaning “ house of kauri” gets its name from a Moriori coastal village situated north of Rangitihi, where some Maori, living with the Moriori at the time, built a house from kauri timber salvaged from the beach. The name Wharekauri was applied by Maori to the whole of the Chatham Islands and continues today. Rekohu is the Moriori name for the Chatham Islands. Wharekauri station is today the largest privately owned farm on the islands.

Kaingaroa

Kaingaroa is a sheltered harbour with a European history dating back to 1791. It is the second-largest settlement on the Chatham Islands and has also been the site of many ship wrecks over the years. The Kaingaroa Social Club is renowned for its seafood feasts. Two important plaques commemorate the significance of the Kaingaroa settlement in the development of the Chatham Islands. Kaingaroa is a “must see” on the Chathams itinerary and it is well worth taking the time to explore.

Port Hutt

Port Hutt is a small settlement of about a dozen people and houses, located in a sheltered cove in Whangaroa harbour. Predominantly a fishing village, it has a long history of European settlement, dating as far back as the early 1800’s. Historically, Moriori occupied this site for centuries. A combination of rocky coastline and sandy beaches, Port Hutt is well worth the visit. Make time to explore and take in the sense of history.

Te One

Located in the heart of the prosperous farming region, Te One is a well integrated community, with the largest school on the islands, a church, marae, kohunga and the local offices of the Department of Conservation and Air Chathams. There are two iconic historical places of interest nearby, Lake Huro, the second largest lake which was an important food source for Moriori and early settlers, and Te One Cemetery which highlights the diverse heritage of early explorers and settlers.

Waitangi

Waitangi is the main township of the Chatham Islands. It is also the main business and service hub for the islands.Council offices, ANZ Bank and Post Office, Police Station, Hospital, Community Hall, Information Centre, Museum, Shops, Accommodation, Dining and more. There are some places of historical significance in and around Waitangi which also makes it well worth exploring.

Owenga

Owenga is a small port settlement in a shallow bay, Owenga originally supported a large Moriori population. Sadly, the Moriori were decimated by disease from visiting whalers and sealers in the early 1800’s. Later arrivals than displaced the Moriori. Today, Owenga is home to a number of fishermen and their families. It is also the main departure point for Pitt Island. The rugged Owenga coastline is ideal for fishing, diving and to view seabirds in their natural habitat.

Pitt Island

Pitt Island is named after William Pitt, the Earl of Chatham. The Moriori name for Pitt Island is Rangiaotea and the Maori name is Rangiauria. Pitt Island lies 22 kilometres to the Southeast of Chatham Island. Day trips to Pitt Island and accommodation there can be booked through your accommodation provider. Pitt Island is very rich in history and a visit there is often the highlight of visitors holiday to the Chatham Islands.

Situated in the South Pacific Ocean, about 800km to the East of Christchurch, the Chatham Islands are New Zealand’s most Easterly territory. An archipelago of 11 islands, of which only two (Pitt and Chatham) are inhabited and a total population of about 600 people.

Meet the Chatham Islanders; people who remain true to themselves while extending warm hospitality to visitors. Visit heritage sites and learn of our fascinating history shaped by years of isolation; Moriori, Maori, sealers, whalers, missionaries, farmers and settlers.

See for yourself the strange and beautiful Chatham Island plants. Although some of our rare birds are protected on island sanctuaries, you can readily find others in bush, on roadsides and beaches. Walk through our forests, expansive wetlands and conservation areas. Venture to Pitt Island, even more remote and surprisingly different from Chatham Island.
Share in the bounty of our oceans; crayfish, paua, kina and blue cod, which also help sustain our economy. Then relax and absorb the peace and tranquility of the Chatham Islands.