Pitt Island Island
Remote Chatham Island with rugged coast and small population
Pitt Island in the Chatham Islands offers remote beaches, pastoral landscapes and birdlife; access is limited, so visitors come for isolation, fishing, seabirds and to experience a tiny settled island community.
Pitt Island at a Glance#
Address: Pitt Island, Chatham Islands, New Zealand
Website: https://www.cic.govt.nz/
Admission: No formal tourist infrastructure; access typically arranged through Chatham Islands authorities or charter services (fees vary)
About Pitt Island#
Pitt Island is a remote island in New Zealand’s Chatham Islands territory, lying southeast of the main Chatham Island and forming part of the archipelago’s outer group. The island is sparsely populated and dominated by farmland, cliffs and coastal terraces.
The landscape is rugged and largely pastoral, with limited infrastructure and long distances between properties; the island sees very few visitors compared with mainland New Zealand. Native and introduced birdlife is present in less-developed coastal and cliff habitats.
Pitt Island lies in the south Pacific as part of New Zealand’s Chatham Islands territorial area, remote from New Zealand’s main North and South Islands and accessed via the principal settlement and transport links on Chatham Island.
- Remoteness: Pitt Island is the second-largest island of the Chatham Islands group and is remote with a very small resident population, limited services and primarily pastoral land use.
- Access: Access is typically by boat from Chatham Island or via small aircraft to the main Chatham Island followed by local transport; plan logistics well in advance.
How to Get to Pitt Island#
Access to Pitt Island is via boat or occasional charter from the main Chatham Island settlement at Waitangi. Flights to the Chathams land on Chatham Island (via Auckland or Christchurch), and onward access to Pitt requires local arrangements. Check with Chatham Islands Council for current transport options.
Tips for Visiting Pitt Island#
- Travel only with authorised transport - crossings are long and weather-dependent.
- Bring supplies and be prepared for basic accommodation; the island has limited services.
- Respect local rāhui (restrictions) and consult the Rekohu/Pitt Island community on permitted activities.
Best Time to Visit Pitt Island#
Summer months afford the most reliable access by sea or charter flight to the Chathams.
Weather & Climate near Pitt Island#
Pitt Island's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 4°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1048 mm/year), wettest in June.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 11° - 18° | 14° | 62 mm | - | - | 6.9 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 11° - 18° | 15° | 63 mm | - | - | 6.7 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 10° - 17° | 14° | 79 mm | - | - | 7.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 8° - 15° | 12° | 79 mm | - | - | 7.2 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 6° - 13° | 6° | 104 mm | - | - | 7.3 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 5° - 11° | 4° | 119 mm | - | - | 7.7 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 4° - 10° | 3° | 109 mm | - | - | 7.4 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 5° - 11° | 4° | 104 mm | - | - | 7.2 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 6° - 12° | 5° | 96 mm | - | - | 7.4 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 7° - 13° | 7° | 78 mm | - | - | 7.5 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 8° - 15° | 11° | 61 mm | - | - | 7.6 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 10° - 16° | 13° | 94 mm | - | - | 7.0 m/s | - | - |
