| Chatham Islands is the only place in New Zealand that has a closed rock
lobster (crayfish) season. During March and April no rock lobster are
allowed to be caught and it is a criminal offence to be found with rock
lobster in your possession. For more information on rock lobster
rules, visit the Ministry of Fisheries website. |
Crayfish |
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While forecasts for the Chatham Islands often use pseudonyms for
"showers" (rain at times, fine periods, occasional rain etc), rainfall
in the Chatham Islands is only around 800 mm annually, with the winter
months being wetter than summer. Rainfall is often brief showers as
there are no mountains for cloud masses to press against, although the
elevated southern end of the island does attract more rain that the
north.
Temperatures are moderated by the surrounding ocean, with a mean
range between the high of 14 deg C in February and 8 in July. Rapid
weather changes are a feature of the Chathams, so never leave home
without your parka! |
Weather station
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| Rise and set times for both sun and moon at the Chatham Islands can be found on date and time.com |
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| The Chatham Islands are an unusual situation in terms of game birds.
The Islands are not part of any Fish & Game Region and permission
to hunt game birds is granted via a "one-off" Gazette Notice, known as
the Chatham Island (Wildlife) Notice 1977, rather than individual hunters being required to purchase a Game Bird hunting licence. |
Save grey ducks - shoot a mallard! |
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Read more...
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There are volunteer ambulance and fire services on the island which
are complemented by a small hospital and if necessary, air ambulance to
the mainland.
There is a doctor on the island but travellers should bring any
medication they might require as supplies on the island are limited.
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In an emergency dial
3050 111
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| There are no taxis or public transport on the Chatham Islands. Check with your accommodation provider re transfers to and from the airport. Rental cars are available but must be booked in advance. |
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| There is a ANZ bank and Post Office in Waitangi, but no ATMs anywhere
on the island. EFTPOS can be used at the store, hotel and garage, but
cash is still very handy. |
Essential services
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Weka are part of the Chatham Island identity. Indeed, people born on Chatham Island
call themselves "Weka", as opposed to "Kiwi" for people born on the New Zealand
mainland. And so it is a surprise to many people that weka are not
native to the Chatham Islands and that they can be hunted.
Weka belong to a group of
birds called rails. The Chatham Islands
originally had seven species of rail but now (following the arrival of humans)
there are only 3 surviving species - pukeko, spotless crake and marsh
crake. The three surviving species are
widely distributed throughout New Zealand
and the southwest Pacific, reaching the edge of their range on the Chatham Islands.
Weka are flightless rails,
about one kilogram in weight, that originally occurred throughout mainland New Zealand, including Stewart
Island. The four subspecies that are currently recognised have
declined throughout much of their ranges, with buff weka becoming extinct in
the South Island by 1930. Causes of population
declines are likely to include predation by dogs, ferrets and stoats, disease,
and food shortages during droughts.
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Weka |
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