Chatham Island

The largest of the islands, Chatham, has an area of 900 sq.km and a population consisting mainly of fishermen and farmers. Its most striking feature is the large central lagoon (180 sq.km), and there are also a number of shallow lakes. The chief place on the island is Waitangi (pop. c 300).

From Chatham the other islands (mostly bird sanctuaries) can be visited in local fishing boats. There is little in the way of accommodation - a tourist lodge, a modest hotel and a few rooms in private houses. There is no restaurant or baker's shop and only two small general stores.

There is a small museum in Waitangi containing Moriori artifacts and documents from the arrival of the Europeans and the Taranaki Maoris. There is also