Codfish Island

Codfish Island, also known by its Māori name Whenua Hou, is an offshore island reserve to the west of Stewart Island/Rakiura in New Zealand, managed for native wildlife conservation. The island is best known as a predator-free sanctuary where translocations and intensive management support threatened species recovery.

The island is managed as a strict nature reserve with active programmes for species such as the kākāpō and other native birds; human access is restricted and visits are typically by permit only to limit disturbance. There are no commercial tourism services on the island and access is by private boat or chartered aircraft under supervision.

The island lies close to Stewart Island/Rakiura in New Zealand’s far south and is part of the network of islands used for conservation translocations and long-term ecological monitoring.

• Restricted access: access is tightly controlled - landing and visits normally require permits because the island is managed as a nature reserve to protect endangered species.
• Kākāpō sanctuary: one of New Zealand's important offshore sanctuaries for the critically endangered kākāpō and other native birds, with intensive conservation work and monitoring.