Portland Island (New Zealand)
Island off the Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Portland Island, also called Waikawa,[1][2][3] is a small island off the southern tip of the Māhia Peninsula on the North Island of New Zealand. It is used for sheep farming.[4]
_from_southwest.jpg)
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)
Native name: Waikawa | |
|---|---|
Portland Island (center) | |
 Interactive map of Portland Island | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Hawke's Bay Region |
| Coordinates | 39°17′S 177°52′E |
| Area | 1.4–3.0 km2 (0.54–1.16 sq mi) |
| Length | 3.26 km (2.026 mi) |
| Width | 0.65 - 0.98 km (-0.205 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 106 m (348 ft) |
| Administration | |
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.
Gallery
NASA satellite image of the Māhia Peninsula, showing Portland Island close to the peninsula's southern tip
Portland Island and southern tip of Māhia Peninsula from the east
_from_east.jpg)
