 Overview map of Ruapuke Island | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 46°47′S 168°30′E / 46.783°S 168.500°E |
| Area | 16 km2 (6.2 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 64 m (210 ft) |
| Administration | |
New Zealand | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Ruapuke Island is one of the southernmost islands in New Zealand's main chain of islands. It is located 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) to the southeast of Bluff and 32 kilometres (20 mi) northeast of Oban on Stewart Island. It was named "Bench Island" upon its discovery by Captain James Cook in 1770, but has rarely been known by any other name than its Māori name, which means "two hills".[1]
Ruapuke Island was called Goulburn Island by Captain John Kent,[2] named after Frederick Goulburn, a Government official in New South Wales, but the whalers generally called it Long Island, or Robuck.[3] The island covers an area of about 16 km2 (6 sq mi). It guards the eastern end of Foveaux Strait. Notable Māori inhabitants on the island included Kāi Tahu chief Tūhawaiki and John Topi Patuki.
- ^ Ruapuke Island shipping disasters before 1900
- ^ "Shipping Intelligence. The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser". Trove. 3 March 1825.
- ^ "PLACE NAMES. MATAURA ENSIGN". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 6 August 1912. Retrieved 5 July 2020.