Tonga Island is a small (0.15 km2) island in Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere, off the northern coast of the South Island of New Zealand.[1] It lies within the Abel Tasman National Park, about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) off Onetahuti Beach.[2] The island has a flourishing fur seal colony,[3][4] and is surrounded by the Tonga Island Marine Reserve, which was inaugurated in 1993.

Tonga Island
Tonga Island
Tonga Island from water taxi
Tonga Island is located in South Island
Tonga Island
Tonga Island
Tonga Island is located in New Zealand
Tonga Island
Tonga Island
Geography
LocationTasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere, New Zealand
Coordinates40°53′25″S 173°04′02″E / 40.89028°S 173.06722°E / -40.89028; 173.06722
Total islands1
Area0.15 km2 (0.058 sq mi)
Length0.5 km (0.31 mi)
Width0.5 km (0.31 mi)
Highest elevation83 m (272 ft)
Administration

The island is accessible by water taxi or kayak and visible from the Abel Tasman Coast Track.[5]

The first peoples named the place after a small island in their east Polynesian homeland.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Tonga Island, Tasman - NZ Topo Map". NZ Topo Map. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  2. ^ Hoiberg, Dale H., ed. (2010). "Abel Tasman National Park". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. I: A-ak Bayes (15th ed.). Chicago, IL: Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. pp. 25. ISBN 978-1-59339-837-8.
  3. ^ "Tonga Island Marine Reserve". Department of Conservation NZ. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  4. ^ Nelson Marlborough Conservancy (2012). "Abel Tasman National Park" (PDF). New Zealand Department of Conservation. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  5. ^ "Tonga Island Marine Reserve" (PDF). Department of Conservation NZ. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  6. ^ Simpson, Philip (2018). Down the Bay: a natural and cultural history of Abel Tasman National Park. Nelson: Potton & Burton. p. 18. ISBN 9780947503932.
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40°53′S 173°04′E / 40.883°S 173.067°E / -40.883; 173.067