Portland Island (New Zealand)

Portland Island, also called Waikawa,[1][2][3] is a small island off the southern tip of the Mahia Peninsula on the North Island of New Zealand. It is used for sheep farming.

This article is about the New Zealand island. For the peninsula in southern England, see Isle of Portland. For the island in Canada, see Portland Island (British Columbia). For the fictional island, see Liberty City (Grand Theft Auto) § Portland Island.

Portland Island
Native name:
Waikawa
Geography
LocationHawke's Bay region
Coordinates39°17′S 177°52′E
Area1.4–3.0 km2 (0.54–1.16 sq mi)
Length3.26 km (2.026 mi)
Width0.65 - 0.98 km (-0.205 mi)
Highest elevation106 m (348 ft)
Administration
NASA satellite image of the Mahia Peninsula, showing Portland Island close to the peninsula's southern tip

The area of the island fluctuates rapidly between high and low tides due to a shelf of rocks surrounding the east, north and west coast of the island. During low tide the area of the island can grow up to 3 km2, while during high tide it shrinks down to only 1.4 km2. This makes access by boat to the island rather difficult, despite it being only a kilometer offshore.

See also

References
  1. Pollock, Kerryn (30 November 2015). "Story – Hawke's Bay places – Page 11: Mahia". www.teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  2. "Portland Island Lighthouse in Wairoa" (PDF). www.visitwairoa.co.nz. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  3. "Tragedy strikes endangered New Zealand shore plover population". www.doc.govt.nz. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2017.


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