Codfish Island / Whenua Hou, Protected island in southern New Zealand
Codfish Island is a protected island off southern New Zealand that rises to about 249 meters above sea level and features thick forests with steep rocky cliffs around its edges. Sealer's Bay holds a simple hut used by those permitted to stay on the island.
The island earned its English name from blue cod fish in surrounding waters during early trade times. It later became a place where researchers and conservationists worked to protect native species from disappearing.
Whenua Hou means new land in the Maori language, reflecting how indigenous communities understood the island as a space of renewal and protection. The name choice reveals the cultural significance the place held beyond its practical uses.
Visiting requires permission from the Department of Conservation, as the island is strictly protected as a nature reserve. Access is mainly for researchers and conservation staff who work on the island.
The island holds one of the world's rarest parrot species, the kakapo, with a small breeding population carefully monitored by conservation teams. This flightless bird was nearly extinct before recovery efforts began here.
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