Discover The Chatham Islands
Your Chatham Islands adventure holiday will be a journey of discovery. You will take a step back in time, to how life used to be. Prepare to be surprised as these mysterious islands yield up their secrets. Landscapes with volcanic peaks thrusting up out of rolling peatland, forest topped towering seacliffs, the vast expanse of Te Whaanaga, endless kilometres of sandy beaches and the ever present ocean.
Situated in the South Pacific Ocean, about 800km east of Christchurch, the Chatham Islands are New Zealand’s most easterly region. An archipelago of 11 islands, only Pitt and Chatham are inhabited, by about 600 people. The Chatham Islands is the first inhabited place in the world to see the rising sun each day. Local time is 45 minutes ahead of mainland New Zealand and observes the same daylight savings start and finish dates.
The last major Pacific Islands to be settled, the Chatham Islands are thought to have been first occupied by Polynesians about 800 to 1,000 years ago. In isolation, they developed a unique culture and became a people who called
themselves Moriori. They named this island home Rekoh, and developed a sacred covenant of peace, which has remained unbroken for 600 years – a world record for peace keeping!
The Chatham Islands were discovered by Europeans in 1791 by the English ship HMS Chatham. European settlement dates from the early 1800’s with sealers, then whalers and farmers. Later Ngati Tama and Ngati Mutunga arrived, and made their home on these islands they called Wharekauri. Merging their heritage and living together on this remote outpost; the people are the Chatham Islanders.
Chatham Islanders remain true to themselves while extending warm hospitality to visitors. Visit heritage sites and learn of their fascinating history shaped by years of isolation; Moriori, Maori, sealers, whalers, missionaries, farmers and settlers. Many places of interest are located on, or accessed over, private land for which permission is required. Private land often extends from the roadside to the water’s edge. Most main visitor sites are signposted.
See for yourself the strange and beautiful Chatham Island plants. Although some of their rare birds are protected on island sanctuaries, you can readily find others in bush, on roadsides and beaches. Walk through the forests, expansive wetlands and conservation areas, or venture to Pitt Island, which is even more remote and surprisingly different from Chatham Island.
Share in the bounty of the oceans…crayfish, paua, kina and blue cod, that help sustain the local economy. Then relax and absorb the peace and tranquillity of the Chatham Islands. Renowned for abundant seafood and wild game, the locals do ask that you help preserve this valuable resource by taking only what you need for a meal or the local bag limit…whichever is less. Your host will fill you in on local limits, as well as fish and game cleaning practices.
Scheduled domestic flights are provided by Air Chathams from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. As there is no public transport you will need to make pick up arrangements with your host. Cars, 4WD vehicles and vans are available for hire.
Most shops and cafes accept credit cards and eftpos, but carrying cash is also advisable. Generally prices are slightly higher than mainland New Zealand due to freight costs. There are a number of options for shopping and dining…a general store, fuel stations, hardware store, gift shop, art and craft shop, gallery, lodge, hotel and cafes. A combined ANZ/Post Office is located in the main township of Waitangi, and an ATM machine is available at the Hotel Chathams Public bar during trading hours. There is no cellphone coverage, but high speed wi-fi internet is available at many locations.
You’ll find a range of comfortable accommodation options – homestay, farmstay, self catering, backpackers, hotel, lodge motel and two marae. It is important to book your accommodation before you travel.
Summer in the Chathams offers up lovely clear warm days while winter may bring occasional mild frost, but it’s safe to say the Chatham Islands weather may be best described as variable. However, most days do see the sun and temperatures tend to be mild, although it can be windy and cold at times. Be prepared for four seasons in one day, bring your holiday cloths, a warm jacket and sunscreen.