Pitt Island
{{Short description|Island of the Chatham Islands archipelago in New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{other places}}
{{Infobox islands
| name = Pitt Island
| local_name = {{lang|rrm|Rangihaute}} (Moriori)
{{lang|mi|Rangiauria}} (Māori)
| image_name = Pitt Island from Space ISS005-E-15265.jpg
| image_caption = Pitt Island from space
| map_image = Chatham-Islands map topo en.svg
| map_caption = Map showing location of Pitt Island
| nickname =
| coordinates = {{coord|44|17|15|S|176|13|12|W|region:NZ|display=inline,title}}
| archipelago = Chatham Islands
| total_islands =
| major_islands =
| area_km2 = 65
| length_km =
| width_km =
| highest_mount = Waihere
| elevation_m = 241
| elevation_footnotes ={{cite web|url=http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/ci41/Waihere/Chatham-Islands|title=Waihere, Chatham Islands - NZ Topo Map|publisher=Land Information New Zealand|access-date=17 October 2017}}
| population = 38
| population_as_of = 2011
| density_km2 = 0.59
| ethnic_groups =
| country = New Zealand
| additional_info =
}}
Pitt Island (Moriori: {{lang|rrm|Rangihaute}}, {{langx|mi|Rangiauria}}){{Cite web |date=11 Mar 2010 |title=Chatham Islands |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/map/23614/chatham-islands-rekohu-and-rangihaute |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand}}{{Cite web |title=Rēkohu {{!}} Chatham Islands |website=Te Papa |url=https://tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/rekohu-chatham-islands |access-date=2024-08-13}} is the second largest island in New Zealand's Chatham Islands, with an area of {{convert|65|km2}}. It lies about {{convert|770|km|mi}}{{cite web |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/chatham-islands/1 |title=Chatham Islands Page 1 Overview |author= |date=7 September 2012 |work=web page |publisher=The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=15 December 2012}} to the east of New Zealand's main islands, and about {{convert|20|km|mi}} to the southeast of Chatham Island, from which it is separated by Pitt Strait. The island is hilly; its highest point (Waihere Head) rises to {{convert|241|m|ft|0}} above sea level. {{As of|2011}}, Pitt Island had a population of about 38 people.
Pitt Island's Kahuitara Point is the first populated location on Earth to observe a sunrise in each new year, based on local time zone.{{cite web
|title = First Sunrise of the New Millennium
|publisher = Astronomical Applications Department, U.S. Naval Observatory
|url = http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/first_sunrise.html#ocean
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040626170029/http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/first_sunrise.html#ocean
|archive-date = 26 June 2004
|df = dmy-all
}}
History
Pitt Island was originally inhabited by the Moriori, the indigenous peoples of the Chatham Islands, who called it Rangiaotea or Rangihaute. Their archaeological remains are found almost everywhere on the island; large quantities of artefacts are constantly coming to light.King 2000.{{Cite web|url=http://www.education-resources.co.nz/|title=Education-resources for unit plans, unit-plan templates index|website=Education-resources.co.nz|access-date=8 August 2019}} No remains of momori rakau are visible on the island, but there are records of them once being present.King 2000
The first Europeans to see and name Chatham Island were the crew of William Robert Broughton's ship {{HMS|Chatham|1788|6}} in November 1791. However, they did not see Pitt Island. The first to do so was Captain Charles Johnston on {{HMS|Cornwallis|1805|6}} in May 1807. He named it 'Pitt's Island' after William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} In 1840, the name was simplified to "Pitt" Island. Taranaki Maori who invaded the Chatham Islands in 1835 called it Rangiauria, a name which is still in use today.
Over the years there have been many ships wrecked around both Pitt and Chatham Islands. One of these was the Australian sealing brig Glory, which was wrecked on Pitt Island in what became known as Glory Bay in January 1827.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/37074870/4249129 The Australian, 20 March 1827, p.3]
European settlers arrived in the Flower Pot Bay in 1843.{{cite web |title=Pitt Island |url=https://chathamislands.co.nz/our-islands/regions/pitt-island/ |website=chathamislands.co.nz |access-date=11 October 2022}}
Economy and facilities
The main sources of income for Pitt Islanders are farming, commercial fishing, and tourism. The New Zealand Department of Conservation is active on Pitt Island and, in conjunction with several landowners, administers a number of covenanted areas and reserves. The island imports fuel and most manufactured goods, and exports live sheep and cattle to mainland New Zealand.
The island has a school, a wharf, a church and a grass landing strip for light planes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvQ10CPh2sY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/hvQ10CPh2sY |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=C206 landing Pitt Island|date=4 April 2008 |publisher=YouTube|access-date=8 August 2019}}{{cbignore}} A gravel road runs from Flower Pot Bay to the airstrip. A supply ship visits Pitt Island about every three months. Each household generates its own electricity, by either diesel generator or wind turbine. Most homes have satellite TV and broadband internet connections. Transport on the island is mostly by means of quad bikes, four wheel drives and occasionally horses. In 2011, the Pitt Island School had eight children, aged between 6 and 12 years.{{Cite report |url=https://www.cic.govt.nz/assets/CIC/Documents/Chatham-Islands-Economic-Profile-Report-2017.pdf |title=Chatham Islands Economic Profile |last1=Leung-Wai |first1=Jason |last2=Borren |first2=Tim |date=July 2017 |publisher=Chatham Islands Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126181121/https://cic.govt.nz/assets/CIC/Documents/Chatham-Islands-Economic-Profile-Report-2017.pdf |archive-date=2023-01-26 |url-status=live}}
Air Chathams operates from Pitt Island to Chatham Island with their Cessna 206.
Fauna and flora
On Pitt Island there are several flocks of feral Saxon Merino sheep.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080602052812/http://www.education-resources.co.nz/pitt-island.htm Moriori Education Resources Online]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140815074954/http://www.moriori.co.nz/home/ Official Moriori Website] With Information on Pitt Island Moriori
{{Chatham Islands}}
Category:Islands of the Chatham Islands