AN ISLAND LIKE NO OTHER

THEY’RE THE EASTERN-MOST PART of Aotearoa New Zealand and yet they seem to fly under the radar of most Kiwis. And with global travel restrictions still in place there has never been a better time to change all that and visit the Chatham Islands; literally like no other place on earth, they are unique, welcoming and just a direct Air Chathams flight away.

With overseas travel still not on the horizon, stretching your wings to the Chatham Islands for a getaway with a difference makes perfect sense right now. You don’t need a passport, it’s one of the most isolated – and hence unspoilt – parts of the country and is home to stunning scenery and great food. So much so it’s hard to understand why more of us haven’t made the two hour flight before.

“For a long time, Kiwis have not really been aware of the Chatham Islands, or that they are a part of New Zealand!” says Jackie Gurden, Chatham Islands Tourism Manager. “The Islands have always been a bit of a well-kept secret, but for a domestic holiday they offer sights and sounds and flavours you just aren’t going to get anywhere else. Many visitors are really surprised by the Chatham Islands, and many of them are simply taken with it.”

One of the things that most surprises first time visitors is the landscape. There is a broad range of geography encompassing the Islands’ volcanic origins, but they are totally unlike the colours and formations we are used to on mainland New Zealand. Chatham’s main island really is a photographer’s and birdwatcher’s dream, and consider also a day trip to Pitt Island – the first place in the world to greet the dawn of each new day – to see Mount Hakepa (or “Walk ‘em up” as it is locally known), Flowerpot Bay and the old cliff side jail for a glimpse into the past.

For a long time, Kiwis have not really been aware of the Chatham Islands, or that they are a part of New Zealand!

The Chatham Islands are also very much a foodies dream. Naturally, given its location, seafood is the order of the day, with fresh blue cod and crayfish particularly popular, but there is also a thriving local honey industry. The island has a small number of great quality dining options to experience all this, with incredibly fresh local seafood and produce prepared each day.

If you fancy catching your own seafood there are several fishing and charter options available, and it is worth pointing out that guided tours and charters really are the best way to experience the Chatham Islands. “Unlike the mainland,” says Jackie Gurden, “most of the land on the Chatham Islands is privately owned, and you will need permission to access some areas, so we do recommend going on one of the guided tours. This really does make it easier for all concerned and there is nothing like a bit of local knowledge to help you understand things and get the most out of your trip. You can find out all about tours at www.chathamislands.co.nz”.

And there really is a lot to see and do on a trip to the Chatham Islands. Its history is fascinating and can be explored through things like a visit to Kōpinga Marae, the base for the revival of the Moriori language, cultural traditions and wānanga, as well as being used by the local community and schools for a wide range of community activities. Then there is Maunganui Stone Cottage, built by German missionaries between 1866-68; the missionaries made no real converts, but their presence has been interwoven with the island and the cottage is a fitting testament to them. A testament to determination can be seen

in the picturesque Glory Cottage on Pitt Island that dates from the 1860s and is named after the wrecked brig Glory, whose survivors made one of New Zealand’s most epic open boat sea journeys – 1280km in 1827 – all in an effort to get back home.

You don’t have to be a geologist to appreciate the unique landscape formations like the basalt columns at Ohiro Bay or the spectacular views over Petrie Bay and the extensive sand dunes, or a botanist to appreciate the wild, untouched flora and fauna here; this really is nature in its most gloriously untouched form.

But perhaps the greatest attraction of the Chatham Islands is the Chatham Islanders. They are an independent and self-sufficient breed to be sure, and also artistic and creative as the main Island’s gift shops prove, but perhaps more importantly they still posses some Kiwi qualities that have long gone from our bigger cities and towns. Warm and welcoming, they are keen to share their stories and their piece of paradise with visitors, and there has never been a better time to pay them a visit.