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En route Wellington to Auckland. Photo by Phillip Capper. .

Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about Kapiti Island Nature Reserve

Kapiti Island, near the entrance of Cook Strait and opposite the mouth of the Waikanae River, is some 3 nautical miles from the adjacent coast and comprises almost 5,000 acres.

It is an oblong-shaped island arising sharply out of the sea, about 6 miles in length, with a breadth of between approximately 1录 to 1 miles 鈥� the highest point is over 1,780 ft. Together with Mana and the Brothers, Kapiti is significant as the remnant of a land bridge between the North and South Islands.

Kapiti Island is a nature reserve that hosts some of New Zealand’s most endangered birds. The island’s protected waters are home to a myriad of marine life. Visitors to the island are limited.

One has to have a licensed launch and a landing permit that some tour operators have. If you are planning to visit, choosing a licensed tour operator will make things ways easier. Here are the top 10 Unbelievable Facts about Kapiti Island Nature Reserve.

1. The Maori tribe was the first to settle on the island

Maori Wood carving. Photo by Bulach. .

Ko te Waewae Kapiti o Tara Raua ko Rangitane: the full name given by M膩ori to Kapiti describes the island as the meeting place of the boundaries of Tara and Rangitane. Tara and Rangitane were the son and grandson of Whatonga who, in 1150 AD, divided the country by making a boundary from the southern tip of Kapiti Island straight across to the east coast of the North Island.

The land to the south he gave to Tara and the land to the north he gave to Tautoki, another son whose heir was Rangitane. The waters between Kapiti Island and the mainland were once travelled by the waka of the Rangitane people, the Muaupoko and later those of Te Rauparaha of Ngati Toa who gained dominance over Kapiti by 1823.

2. There are no predators on the island

Following the elimination of rats, cats, possums, sheep, dogs, and mustelids, the island鈥檚 rare bird population has flourished. Around the 1980s and 1990s efforts were made to return the island to a natural state; first sheep and possums were removed.

In an action few thought possible for an island of its size, rats were eradicated in 1998. In 2003 the anonymous Biodiversity Action Group claimed to have released 11 possums on the island. No evidence of the introduced possums has been found.

3. The name Kapiti was obtained from the Maori

A Kereru (also known as New Zealand Pigeon) on Kapiti Island, New Zealand. Photo by Duncan.

The name Kapiti is an abbreviation of the Maori 鈥淭e Waewae-Kapiti-o-Tara-raua-ko-Rangitane鈥� or the junction line of the boundaries between the Ngai Tara and Rangitane tribal lands.

Kapiti was also known as Entry Island 鈥� the first record of it we have is in the Journal of Captain Cook’s first voyage when he called it by that name on 14 January 1770.

4. The island was obtained from European owners by the government

In 1897 the New Zealand Government determined to make the island a forest and bird reserve and the Kapiti Island Public Reserve Act was passed. This Act compensated the European owners and provided for non-alienation of native rights except to the Crown.

All but a small portion of the island is now under Crown ownership and administered by the Lands and Survey Department.

5. In 1840s colonialists occupied the land

Porphyrio hochstetteri Kapiti Island. Photo by Duncan. .

During the 1840s, much of the land was cleared for farming and sheep, goats, pigs, deer, cats, and dogs were introduced. Whales declined precipitously, and the island was given over to farming after about 1850.

Today, DOC preserves many artefacts from the whaling period, such as the 鈥渢rypots鈥�, used for boiling down blubber, that can be seen on shore.

6. The island has the oldest building associated with nature conservation

The Whare is the oldest building on Kapiti Island and the oldest building associated with nature conservation in the country. It is thought to originate from the early 1860s when it was built as the homestead for the McLean family who farmed the island at the time. In 1897 much of the island was purchased by the Government for the purpose of protecting its natural heritage.

The Whare became home to a number of island caretakers including Richard Henry, the world鈥檚 first state sponsored conservation officer. He was appointed to Kapiti Island in 1908 after serving on Resolution Island where he pioneered much of his work on capture techniques and successful species relocation methods.

 He lived in the Whare for three years before his retirement. By 1924 another caretaker鈥檚 cottage was built. Since then the Whare has been used as a base for scientists, trappers, students and numerous dignitaries and visitors.

7. The reserve has strict bio-safety rules

Owing to the purpose of these islands, there are some very strict bio-security rules for visitors to help protect the native wildlife.

Some rules include wearing totally clean footwear, checking all clothing and bags for insects and soil, and keeping all food in sealed containers.  Ensure you also take all rubbish with you and only walk on formed tracks.

8. The reserve is home to multiple native birds

Close up of a kaka on Kapiti Island,taken in 2014. Photo by Paul O’Shea. .

The island is home to a number of native birds, mostly re-introduced. These include takahe, North Island k艒kako, brown teal, stitchbird (hihi), North Island saddleback (tieke), tomtit (miromiro), fantail (piwakawaka), morepork (ruru), weka and North Island robin (toutouwai). The brown kiwi and little spotted kiwi were released on the island between 1890 and 1910.

9. The island was once deforested

In 1850s, the land was leased to European farmers and was deforested. Between 1874 and the 1890s, the M膩ori Land Court partitioned the island into blocks, primarily owned by Western Maori MP Wiremu Parata and his family members.

In the 1890s, the Wellington Acclimatization Society requested that Alfred Ross, a leaseholder and sheep farmer on the island, turn his farm into a game reserve, releasing quail, pheasants and later possums onto the island.

10. You have to book your visit in advance

Maungakotukutuku Saddle, Kapiti Coast District, New Zealand. Photo by Phillip Capper.

Kapiti Island is a popular destination so book in advance. Camping is not allowed on the island. To ensure that the island keeps the wildlife as it鈥檚 priority, the way tourists can visit the island is closely monitored. Each day only 160 people with permits are allowed to visit the island.