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Rēkohu (Moriori) | Wharekauri (Māori)
The Chatham Islands form an isolated archipelago located approximately 800 km east of mainland New Zealand. The archipelago consists of about 10 islands, with Chatham Island and Pitt Island being the only inhabited ones. Together, they cover around 966 square kilometres of windswept low relief landscapes ranging from volcanic features, limestone outcrops, low-lying peat soils, dune lakes, wetlands, and a coastline ranging from long white sandy beaches to rocky reefs and headlands.
The freshwater ecosystems of the islands are shaped by their unique geology with widespread peat soils covering over 60% of the land. These peatlands influence both the flow and quality of surface water, resulting in tannin-stained streams and lakes that are distinctive to the region.
The Chatham Islands are home to a population of over 600, most of whom live on Chatham Island in settlements such as Waitangi, Te One, Owenga and Kaingaroa. The region is unique in its isolation and biodiversity, with many species found nowhere else in the world. Agriculture, fishing, and conservation are central to life on the islands.
Find out more about the Chatham Islands on the Chatham Islands Council website.
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