PITT ISLAND

Pitt Island is the English, and mostly commonly used name for the second largest of the islands in the Chatham group. The Maori name is Rangiauria (named by the invading Taranaki Maori) and the Moriori one is Rangiaotea or Rangihaute. Pitt Island is a part of New Zealand and lies 500 miles (800 km) to the east of Christchurch.  Unlike Chatham Island, Pitt Island is very hilly and its highest point (Waihere Head) rises to 241 metres (791 ft) above sea level.

The first noted Europeans to discover the island were the crew of William R. Broughton's ship HMS Chatham in 1791. It was named for William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham. It was named Pitt's Island, which was simplified 50 years later to "Pitt" Island.

From Pitt Island looking at Chatham Island across Pitt Strait

Judy and Dorse Lanauze, North Head Farm, Pitt Island, via Chatham Island, New Zealand.  north.head.farm@xtra.co.nz   ph (64) 3 3050303

The eastern-most house in the world is located on Pitt Island, at North Head and belongs to the Lanauze family who run the farm there as well as recently opened homestay "Hapeka", named after the hill the dominates the property.

The Chatham Islands consists of about ten islands within a 40 kilometre radius, of which the three main islands are Chatham, Pitt and South-East (which was once farmed also). Pitt Island itself covers about 64 km². The bulk of the other islands are of the coast of Pitt and add much photographic interest to it's coastline. These outlying islands have an abundance of birdlife, particularly seabirds. In fact, Mangere looks alive as they come in to nest of an evening.

The population of about 40 people derive their income from farming, fishing, and, more recently, tourism. There is a small sole charge school, a small wharf, a church and a landing strip for light planes on Pitt Island. Air Chathams provide the light plane charter service between the islands.

Because of being isolated out in the Pacific, the Islands are exposed, yet they still have a temperate climate. Annual rainfall is around 900 mm  and temperatures vary between 15 and 24 degrees Celsius in summer (December to February) and 6 to 10 in winter.  Consequently, the best months to visit are between September and March. Note that when you visit the time on the Chathams is 45 minutes ahead of mainland New Zealand.

With no official roads on the island transportation is predominently by quad bike, with a few 4x4 vehicles.

The Department of Conservation are very active on Pitt Island and in conjunction with several landowners administer a number of covenanted areas and reserves.

Everything that exits or enters the island (except people by plane) must be by ship. The ship moors a few hundred meters out to sea and the co-operatively owned barge brings in the fuel to operate transport and the deisel generators that families use to generate electicity. There are a few wind turbines now operating as well. Sheep and cattle are also transported back to mainland NZ by this process. Bulk food and any household requirements are purchased from the mainland and also barged onto the island. Because of the sea conditions in Pitt Strait this is not always a straight forward process!