Māori: Moturata/Taieri | |
|---|---|
 Moturata/Taieri Island | |
 | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Otago region |
| Coordinates | 46°03′28″S 170°13′03″E / 46.057812°S 170.217369°E |
| Administration | |
New Zealand | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Moturata, also called Taieri Island, is an island in the mouth of the Taieri River in southern New Zealand. It is connected to the mainland by a sandy causeway at low tide.
The island is a nature reserve, and is home to many protected seabirds, notably yellow-eyed penguins. It was the site of a whaling station, primarily targeting southern right whales and secondly humpbacks and others in the 1830s and 40s. Many shore-whaling stations were operating all around New Zealand's coastline in this time, causing whale numbers to deplete to almost extinction. Today, whales are making a comeback slowly, occasionally being seen in this area in their migrating season.[1] In June 2006, a pod of four southern right whales were seen frolicking off Taieri Mouth. The group was composed of 3 males and 1 female, thought to be a mating group, which had not been observed in the waters of New Zealand for long period.[2]
- ^ Templeton K.. WHALES. The Otagofishingboats.co.nz . Retrieved 18 December. 2014
- ^ "Southern whales the right stuff for new era – Whales and Whaling – NZ Herald News". 123.100.97.202. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2010.