Chalky Island (New Zealand)

Chalky Island (Te Kākahu-o-Tamatea) lies in Chalky Inlet within Fiordland on the southwest coast of New Zealand’s South Island and is part of Fiordland National Park. The island is notable as a conservation sanctuary where pest removal and native bird translocations have been carried out.

The island’s coastline is rugged and the interior is dominated by native coastal and forest vegetation typical of Fiordland. It is valued for its role in offshore island conservation and for providing habitat for species that have declined on the mainland due to introduced predators.

Chalky Island sits inside Chalky Inlet (Te Kākahu), off the west coast of the South Island within Fiordland; the nearest main centres are in Southland, and access is by boat from the fiords and in many cases is weather dependent.

• Conservation status: The island is managed as a predator-free nature reserve and has been used for translocation projects to establish or bolster populations of native bird species.
• Access and visiting: Access is by boat from Fiordland and weather-dependent; landing options are limited so visits are usually day trips from nearby fiords or part of guided conservation trips.