Story: Nearshore islands

Kāpiti Island

Kāpiti Island

About 10 kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide, Kāpiti is one of the few sizeable islands off the southern North Island. In the early 19th century it was the main base for the Ngāti Toa chief Te Rauparaha, and was also a prominent whaling station. Later it became a nature reserve and today, after the eradication of possums and rats, it is home to some of New Zealand’s rarest birds.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photograph by Jock Phillips

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How to cite this page:

Eileen McSaveney, 'Nearshore islands - A nation of islands', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/13006/kapiti-island (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Eileen McSaveney, published 24 Sep 2007