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| The Chatham Islands |
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| The Chatnam Islands (Rekohu in the indigenous Moriori language) are the eastern-most settled islands in New Zealand. |
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| The islands are in their own time zone, 45 minutes ahead of New Zealand time; |
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| the International Date Line jogs eastward to keep them on the same calendar day as the rest of New Zealand. |
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| The islands lie 860 km east of Christchurch, in the middle of the 'Roaring Forties'. |
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| Steeped in culture and history, these islands are on the very edge of civilisation. |
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| Experience Moriori culture, experience Rekohu. |
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| Understand |
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| The Chatham Islands consist of the main island, Chatham Island itself, with a population of 600, smaller Pitt Island with about 40 inhabitants, and a number of rocky outcrops. |
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| The islands are volcanic in origin and have a unique and sensitive habitat that supports many rare and endangered species. |
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| The original people of the islands are the Moriori, who were descended from the Maori of mainland New Zealand, but who developed their own culture and variant of the language. |
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| In 1835 Maori settlers from the mainland arrived, massacred and enslaved the Moriori. |
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| Get in |
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| By plane |
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| The only way for visitors to travel to the Chathams is via scheduled or chartered air service. |
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| Air Chathams fly 5 days per week, from either Christchurch, Auckland or Wellington and, seasonally, from Napier. |
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| The plane is based in the Chathams and flies to mainland New Zealand in the morning, then back to the Chathams in the afternoon. |
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| As part of New Zealand, there are no passport or visa requirements and no border controls on arrival from the mainland. |
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| You should book or ensure accommodation before you board a flight for the Chathams, as during the popular months of the tourism season, between October and April, accommodation can be severely limited. |
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| There are no same-day return flights, so once there you have to stay at least one night. |
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| Although flying to the Chathams and back is not cheap, it is worth it. |
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| Even the mainland school groups that fly there for school camps, and choose to stay at Kopinga Marae [1] get value for money by chartering a flight one way. |
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| Anyway, you don't have a choice on how you get there, unless you happen to own an aeroplane. |
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| However, when you get off that aeroplane, if you haven't pre-organised transport, you will have to walk, and it is a long way into town. |
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| By boat |
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| The only scheduled shipping service to the Chatham Islands remains the Black Robin Freighters 'Rangatira', an antiquated, slow and small coastal trading vessel. |
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| This boat has serviced the islands for many years, but does not carry passengers. |
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| Freight charges on the Rangatira appear to be flexible and subject to change. |
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| Vessels can call at the Chathams and there are a number of 'safe' harbours for shelter if the need arises. |
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| Remember to notify the local policeman, or Ministry of Fisheries officer if you are entering New Zealand via the Chathams. |
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| If you want a wharf berthage then call the local harbour master as you near the Chathams and he will sort you out. |
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| Get around |
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| There are several businesses on Chatham Island that will rent you a vehicle. |
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| Do not expect the flashest and latest in rental cars though. |
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| The cars 'will' be warranted and safe, but they won't be exceptionally 'flash'. |
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| Chatham Motors have a range of nice rental vans available as well and they provide pretty good service for both visitors and locals. |
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| See |
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| Basalt columns |
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| Some of the world's most rare and endangered birds, plants and insects. |
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| Unique tree carvings done by the peaceful Moriori people hundreds of years ago. |
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| Henga Scenic Reserve. |
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| Set adjacent to Henga Lodge is the magnificent Henga Scenic Reserve. |
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| Guests of the lodge can meander around either a short easy walk, or take the longer 2 hr return walk out onto the spectacular beach. |
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| Access is free to Lodge guests. |
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| Hapupu National Historic Scenic Reserve. |
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| One of only two National Historic Scenic Reserves in New Zealand (the other is the Waitangi Treaty Grounds), Hapupu is a special place, and somewhere that you will want to tell others about. |
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| Spiritually and culturally important to Moriori, it holds the last known concentration of momori-rakau, or tree carvings done by the ancestors of today's Moriori. |
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| There are many views on why they did these carvings, but whatever the reason, you will find them a very special attraction. |
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| Port Hutt. |
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| One of the most scenicly attractive ports in the whole of New Zealand, Port Hutt boasts an incredibly sheltered little harbour, with picturesque views and safe anchorage in all weather. |
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| Historically important and economically crucial for these islands today, Port Hutt is the ideal location for a short browse around and a mecca for those photography buffs [2]. |
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| Kopinga Marae. |
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| If you could define a place that will remind you of your visit to the Chathams, then this very special place will be at the top of your list. |
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| Opened in 2005, Kopinga is the official meeting place of Te Imi Moriori. |
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| Adorned with contemporary Moriori carvings and traditional taonga (treasures), the marae is a magnificent, tasteful and contemporary testament to the ancestors of Te Imi Moriori. |
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| Enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful and peaceful building. |
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| School-Camps At Kopinga Marae [3] also utilise this wonderful national treasure for hosting visiting school groups. |
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| Tommy Solomon Statue. |
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| Tame Horomona Rehe was the last known full-blooded Moriori and he passed away in 1933. |
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| He was however, not the last Moriori. |
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| His own descendants and the descendants of other Moriori live on today. |
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| Come and have a look at this statue, erected in 1985 to commemorate his passing. |
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| Come and see Manakau, the property of his descendants, located on the eastern corner of Rekohu and blessed with the sun's first rays as they rise above the sea each day. |