Story: Northland places

The Hen and Chickens Islands

Lying 22 kilometres offshore from Bream Bay, the Hen and Chickens Islands were declared a scenic reserve in 1925 on account of their valuable flora and fauna. They are now a nature reserve for seabirds, tīeke (saddlebacks) and tuatara – the ancient reptile unique to New Zealand. This view of the Chicken Islands is taken from Hen Island.

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How to cite this page

Claudia Orange, Northland places – Bream Bay and environs, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/7887/the-hen-and-chickens-islands (accessed 6 June 2026).

Story by Claudia Orange, published 2 March 2009, updated 1 May 2015.

Comments

Terence Green
08 June 2023

I believe the islands were declared scenic reserves in 1920, not 1925 (see Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act 1920 (11 GEO V 1920 No 75)).