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Solander Islands
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Solander Islands
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The Solander Islands / Hautere are three eroded remnant volcanic islets towards the western entrance of the Foveaux Strait just beyond New Zealand's South Island. The islands lie 40 km (25 mi) south of the coastline of Fiordland.[2]

Key Information

The islands are andesite rocks with the tip being a larger submerged stratovolcano,[3] roughly equivalent in size to Mount Taranaki.[4][5] It was formerly believed that the volcano last erupted roughly 2 million years ago, but in 2008 radiometric dating of rock samples from the main island found that it was between 150,000 and 400,000 years old.[1] In 2013 it was discovered that Little Solander Island had been active even more recently at between 20 and 50,000 years ago.[6]

Administratively, the islands form part of Southland District, making them the only uninhabited outlying island group of New Zealand to be part of a local authority.

Islands

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Solander Island / Hautere (also known in Māori as Te Niho a Kewa), the main island,[7] covers around 1 km2 (0.39 sq mi), rising steeply to a peak 330 metres (1,083 ft) above sea level. It is wooded except for its northeast end, mainly a bare, white rock. A deep cave is on the east side, Sealers Cave. Little Solander Island is 1.9 km (1.2 mi) west. It reaches 148 m (486 ft) high yet covers 4 ha (9.9 acres). It has a barren appearance and is guano-covered. Pierced Rock is 250 m (273 yd) south of the main island. It rises to 54 m (177 ft) and covers 2,000 m2 (22,000 sq ft; 0.20 ha)

Administratively, the islands form part of Southland District, making them the only uninhabited outlying island group of New Zealand to be part of a local authority.

History

[edit]
View of the Solander Islands, drawn by Herman Spöring on HMB Endeavour, 1770

The Māori name for the summit of Solander Island is Pukekohu, and the side of the summit is known in Māori as Pukepari.[8] "Hautere" is the father of Moko, a Ngāti Kurī chief, who notably murdered a Kāti Māmoe chief called Tūtewaimate.[9][10]

The island chain was sighted by Captain James Cook on 11 March 1770 and named by him after the Swedish naturalist Daniel Solander, one of the scientific crew aboard Cook's ship, Endeavour.[11]

The islands are geographically forbidding and weather conditions often confound the approach of ships, dissuading attempts at permanent habitation. Australian sealers briefly made use of the islands during the early 19th century, likely living on small flats between the island's cliffs and its shoreline for stints of a few months.[12] Castaways would occasionally end up on the islands, and in 1813, a passing ship bound for Stewart Island found five men in need of rescue. The men – four Europeans and one Australian Aboriginal – were marooned there between 1808 and 1813, representing the longest continuous period of habitation on the islands. They are thought to have been left ashore in two groups for seal hunting (sealing), but the sea prevented the approach of any ship to recover them. In 1810, sealing moved to Macquarie Island, farther to the west, and they were effectively abandoned. When rediscovered in 1813, it is likely that they had amassed many dried seal pelts.[12]

Geology

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The islands are remnants of an isolated extinct trachyandesite and andesite Pleistocene volcano whose volcanics have geochemical affinities with modern adakites.[13][14] The andestic dome of Little Solander Island was active between 20 and 50,000 years ago.[6] The age of the main island is 150 to 400 thousand years old, backed up by pollen data, with in one set of analysis the eruptives having a mean age of 344 ± 10 ka and another mean age of 247 ± 8 ka.[6][1] The islands lie on a bank with depths less than 100 m (328 ft), separated from the continental shelf along Foveaux Strait by a 4 km (2.5 mi) but narrow trough 200 m (656 ft) deep (at least 237 m or 778 ft). Therefore, the islands are included in the New Zealand Outlying Islands.

The islands are the only volcanic land in New Zealand recently related to the subduction of the Australian Plate beneath the Pacific Plate[1][15] along the Puysegur Trench, which extends southwards from the end of the Alpine Fault.[16] The current estimated rate of subduction is 35–36 mm per year.[13] The Solander Basin Mesozoic continental basement rock consists of diorite and subordinate gabbro overlaid by Oligocene to Pliocene sediment.[13] This is isotopically distinct continental crust from the Solander Islands, excluding partial melting of the lower crust as creating the volcanic magma.[14] It has been suggested that the melt that formed the islands comes from a peridotitic source enriched by the addition of a slab-derived melt with subsequent open-system fractionation, resulted in the evolved andesitic adakites.[14]

Flora and fauna

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There are 53 vascular plant species, one third of which are very rare. The flora is dominated by ferns and orchids. The southern, and nominate, subspecies of Buller's albatross (Thalassarche b. bulleri) breeds only on the Solanders and the Snares.

The Solander Islands were historically a well-known area for migrating whales, especially southern right and sperm whales. Sperm whales in this area were said to be exceptionally large.[17]

Bird life

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The islands are home to a variety of bird life.[18]

The Solander group has been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because of its significance as a breeding site for Buller's albatrosses (with about 5000 pairs) and common diving petrels.[19]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Solander Islands

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Solander Islands (Hautere in ) are a remote, uninhabited group of three small volcanic islets situated off the southwestern coast of New Zealand's , approximately 38 km south of the coast and 60 km west-northwest of , marking the western entrance to Foveaux Strait. The islands, covering about 110 hectares in total, rise steeply from the sea with the largest, Solander Island (Hautere), reaching 340 m in elevation and spanning 100 ha, alongside Little Solander Island (180 m, 8 ha) and several smaller rock outcrops. They are the eroded remnants of a Pleistocene volcano formed by the subduction of the Australian Plate beneath the Pacific Plate, representing the only known such magmatic activity south of in the , with the submerged volcanic edifice comparable in size to and last active between 150,000 and 400,000 years ago. The islands were first sighted by Europeans on 11 March 1770 during Captain James Cook's voyage aboard , who named them after the Swedish naturalist , a key member of the expedition's scientific team. The Māori name Hautere, meaning "flying wind," reflects the islands' exposed, windswept nature, while an alternative traditional name, Te Niho a Kewa, refers to the jagged tooth-like appearance of the main island. Historically, the Solanders have seen limited human visitation due to their isolation and rugged terrain, with notable geological expeditions in 1958, 1973, and 2010 focusing on sampling and mapping the volcanic rocks, which include andesites potentially linked to ash deposits on nearby Southland plains. Ecologically, the Solander Islands are a pristine outpost within , part of the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area, protected since 1952 with strict biosecurity measures prohibiting introduced mammals and limiting access to prevent disturbance. The cool, wet climate (mean annual temperature ~11°C, rainfall ~1,500 mm) supports tussock grasslands, blanket bogs, megaherbs like Anisotome lyallii and Stilbocarpa lyallii, and scrub forests of Olearia lyallii. They are designated an by , hosting significant colonies of s, including approximately 5,300 breeding pairs (as of 2024) of the vulnerable Southern Buller's (Thalassarche bulleri bulleri), the only breeding site for this subspecies in outside the , alongside Fiordland crested penguins, broad-billed prions, common diving petrels, and New Zealand fur seals. Landbirds present include the introduced , as well as native red-crowned parakeets and bellbirds, though weka predation poses a to smaller chicks.

Geography

Location and Physical Features

The Solander Islands, known in Māori as Hautere, form a remote, uninhabited group of three small volcanic islets situated in the South , approximately 40 km south of on the southwest coast of New Zealand's . They lie at the western entrance to Foveaux Strait, about 70 km northwest of , providing a strategic but isolated position amid strong westerly winds and turbulent seas. Centered at coordinates 46°34′S 166°53′E, the islands are administratively part of the Southland District—the only such outlying island group in under local territorial authority—and fall within . The group has a total land area of approximately 120 ha and reaches a highest of 330 on the main . The islands are characterized by steep, rugged with cliffs rising abruptly from the , contributing to their isolation and limited accessibility. Solander Island (Hautere), the largest and principal , spans about 1 km² and is mostly wooded with native vegetation, except for its bare, white-rock northeast end; it features a prominent deep cave on the east side known as Sealers Cave. Little Solander Island, located roughly 2 km west of the main island, covers 7 ha, rises to 148 in , and is barren with deposits covering its steep slopes. Pierced Rock, the smallest feature, lies 250 m south of Solander Island, measures 2,000 m² in area, and stands 54 high as a sheer, perforated .

Climate and Oceanography

The Solander Islands, situated in the path of the , exhibit a cool dominated by persistent westerly winds that average 15–20 km/h but frequently reach gale force exceeding 60 km/h, contributing to stormy conditions and high humidity levels often above 80%. Annual is approximately 1,500 mm, with frequent rain on over 200 days per year, driven by the islands' exposure to moist air masses from the . Air temperatures remain mild year-round, fluctuating between 5°C and 15°C, with minimal seasonal extremes due to the maritime influence. The proximity of the islands to the Subtropical Convergence, a dynamic oceanic front south of where subtropical and waters meet, amplifies atmospheric instability, leading to enhanced precipitation and frequent that reduces and impacts accessibility. These winds and the convergence also promote high humidity and occasional calm periods amid the prevailing gales, while the physical isolation of the islands fosters unique microclimates in sheltered coves. swells, often exceeding 3 m, combined with , accelerate and limit safe approaches by vessel. Oceanographically, the surrounding waters in Foveaux Strait feature strong tidal currents reaching speeds of 2–4 knots, driven by a of up to 3 m, which mixes nutrient-rich waters and supports events that elevate productivity in the region. Sea surface temperatures vary between 8°C and 12°C annually, with cooler conditions in winter due to influences from the Southland Current. Seasonal patterns show milder summers with occasional lulls in wind and swell, allowing brief windows of calmer seas, whereas winters bring intensified gales and higher wave energy.

Geology

Formation and Age

The Solander Islands originated from volcanic activity during the Pleistocene epoch, associated with subduction-related along the ancient Australian-Pacific plate boundary. This activity produced a once-extensive volcanic complex, now reduced to the current islets through extensive . indicates that the main island, Hautere (Solander Island), formed through eruptions spanning approximately 150,000 to 400,000 years ago. These dates confirm middle to late volcanism, revising earlier K-Ar estimates that suggested older origins. The eruptive sequence on Hautere began with subaerial adakitic domes and associated block-and-ash flows, followed by phreatomagmatic deposits that formed subsidiary features such as the hydrothermally altered spatter deposit at Pierced Rock on the island's shore platform. Nearby Little Solander Island represents a later phase, with an dome dated to 20,000–50,000 years ago based on Ar-Ar ages and magnetostratigraphic correlations. This younger activity occurred as the main on Hautere was already undergoing initial erosion. Overall, the islands' geological timeline reflects episodic within a narrow temporal window, with no evidence of significant tectonic uplift or influencing the formation process. Post-eruptive erosion has profoundly shaped the islands' current morphology, transforming the original volcanic cones into steep, rugged islets rising sharply from the surrounding seafloor. Late Pleistocene marine planation and wave action removed much of the volcanic edifice, leaving only the resistant core exposed above . Hydrothermal alteration, evident in orange-stained rocks and tuffisite dikes, accompanied the volcanic phases but did not alter the primary timeline. These erosional processes link the prehistoric volcanic structures to the islands' present-day physical remnants, such as the dissected and isolated stacks.

Composition and Tectonic Context

The Solander Islands consist primarily of and trachyandesite lavas, with associated intrusive equivalents such as tuffisite dikes. These rocks exhibit adakitic affinities, characterized by high Sr/Y ratios and low heavy contents, indicative of derivation from of subducted . Mineralogically, the lavas contain prominent phenocrysts of , clinopyroxene (a ), and , alongside accessory phases like , Fe-Ti oxides, , and ; olivine is minor or absent in most samples. Geologically, the islands are linked to the oblique of the Australian Plate beneath the Pacific Plate along the Puysegur Trench, where convergence occurs at a rate of approximately 35–36 mm/year. This zone drives the responsible for the Solander volcanic complex, marking it as the only recent () volcanic manifestation in directly associated with this plate boundary south of the [North Island](/page/North Island). In contrast, older arc volcanism in southern relates to different tectonic phases, highlighting the Solander Islands' unique position as a modern expression of Puysegur . The magmatic activity at Solander has significant implications for the adjacent region, where the overriding Pacific Plate features stretched intruded by magmas, contributing to ongoing tectonic strain. Seismic reveal a Benioff zone extending to depths of about 150 km beneath the , underscoring the potential for intermediate-depth earthquakes and further magmatic intrusion in this seismically active area. This subduction-related thus provides evidence of dynamic plate interactions influencing Fiordland's crustal evolution.

History

Indigenous History

The Solander Islands hold cultural significance in the oral traditions of , the principal of Te Waipounamu (), where they are known as Hautere, a name translating to "flying wind" in reference to the strong gales that buffet the area. This designation reflects the islands' remote and windswept position in the western approaches to Foveaux Strait (Te Ara a Kiwa), approximately 40 km southwest of 's coast. Within narratives of Southland and Fiordland, Hautere features as a navigational landmark and elemental feature in stories of seascape formation, emphasizing the interplay between land, sea, and ancestral voyages. A prominent pūrākau (oral tradition) among Ngāi Tahu recounts the creation of Foveaux Strait through the actions of the taniwha (supernatural being) Kewa, depicted as a massive whale whose struggles shaped the region's geography. According to this narrative, as Kewa battled to form the strait, crumbs from its mouth scattered to become the surrounding islands, while one of its teeth broke loose to form the prominent pinnacle of Big Solander Island, earning the alternate name Te Niho o Kewa (the tooth of Kewa). This story underscores the islands' role in broader indigenous cosmologies of Te Waipounamu, linking them to themes of transformation, migration, and the sacred origins of the landscape, as preserved in Ngāi Tahu whakapapa (genealogies). Due to their isolation amid treacherous waters and frequent storms, the Solander Islands supported no permanent settlements, though seasonal visits by waka (canoes) from or Rakiura ([Stewart Island](/page/Stewart Island)) for gathering seabird resources or fishing may have occurred within [Ngāi Tahu](/page/Ngāi Tahu) traditions. These interactions were likely infrequent, shaped by the islands' role as a peripheral feature in oral histories rather than a central habitation site, contributing to the enduring narrative of resilience in southern experiences.

European Exploration and Early Use

The Solander Islands were first sighted by Captain on 11 March 1770 during his circumnavigation of aboard . He named the island group after , the Swedish botanist and naturalist who accompanied him as part of the scientific team led by . Although Cook did not land, his sighting marked the initial European recognition of the remote islets at the western entrance to Foveaux Strait. In the early 19th century, the islands became a temporary base for European and American sealers exploiting the abundant fur seal populations in the . Sealing operations began around 1803 with ship-based activities, transitioning to shore-based gangs by 1809, when groups were left on the islands to hunt for extended periods. These sealers, often numbering five to eight men per gang, lived in rudimentary shelters amid harsh conditions, focusing on collecting skins for the lucrative global centered in . Operations peaked between 1809 and 1813, after which declining seal numbers reduced activity. A notable incident during this era involved five castaways—four Europeans and one Australian Aboriginal—who were marooned on Big Solander Island from 1809 to 1813 after being left by the sealing vessel to continue hunting. They survived by hunting seals and seabirds, constructing shelters, and enduring isolation until rescued on 2 May 1813 by the Perseverance, en route to . This event highlights the perilous nature of sealing expeditions, where gangs were frequently abandoned for years due to logistical challenges. Sealers Cave, located on the east side of Big Solander Island in East Bay, served as a key historical shelter for these early visitors, with evidence of occupation including charcoal from fires and potential artifacts from 19th-century use. Archaeological surveys have identified it as site B47/1, though flooding has limited preservation of materials. The islands' extreme remoteness and lack of fresh water prevented any permanent European settlement, leading to only sporadic visits thereafter, primarily for resource extraction until sealing declined mid-century.

Biodiversity

Flora

The flora of the Solander Islands consists of 53 vascular plant species, reflecting the remote and harsh subantarctic environment of these islands south of New Zealand's South Island. The vegetation is dominated by ferns and orchids, which together comprise a significant portion of the recorded species, alongside composites adapted to wind dispersal. Prominent fern examples include Asplenium obtusatum and Blechnum durum, while orchids such as Corybas trilobus and Pterostylis aff. australis are notable for their terrestrial habits in shaded, moist microhabitats. Filmy ferns like Hymenophyllum scabrum, H. minimum, and H. flabellatum contribute to the understory diversity, and sedges including Carex trifida and Scirpus praetextatus occupy wetland margins. The flora description is based on a 1975 survey; no comprehensive updates are available due to the islands' remoteness. Approximately one-third of the species—19 in total—are rare, with populations of fewer than five individuals, underscoring their precarious status in this isolated ; these include regionally uncommon filmy ferns and sedges vulnerable to environmental stresses. The islands' vegetation is structured into distinct zones influenced by , exposure, and substrate. On Big Solander Island, wooded slopes feature dense scrub of Olearia lyallii and stewartiae over deep , interspersed with tall ferns and herbs like Stilbocarpa lyallii, while slopes transition to grassland dominated by Poa astonii and foliosa. Shoreline communities include Poa foliosa and Hebe elliptica, with some barren areas coated in from seabirds and affected by seal activity. Little Solander Island, in contrast, supports more open vegetation, with eastern slopes covered in dense Poa foliosa tussock and Hebe elliptica in gullies, north slopes showing a mosaic of Senecio stewartiae and Poa species, and the south face largely cliffed and sparsely vegetated. Little Solander Island has 10 vascular species recorded. Plants exhibit adaptations suited to the islands' strong winds, salt spray, and nutrient-poor soils, such as low stature, dense mat-forming growth, and specialized leaf structures. For instance, Hebe elliptica features thick, glossy leaves to resist salt deposition, while reinoldii thrives on thin soils with its tomentose foliage reducing water loss. The flora remains largely native, with only two uncommon adventive species ( and S. cf. oleraceus) recorded, preserving the ecological integrity of the vegetation communities.

Terrestrial and Marine Fauna

The Solander Islands, being small and remote, support a limited terrestrial dominated by closely associated with colonies. Notable among these is the endemic Litopunctum solanderi, known only from Solander Island and ranked as a species of concern due to its restricted distribution and few collected specimens. Terrestrial leeches of the Ornithobdella, such as O. edentula, occur on the islands and feed on blood, contributing to the seabird-dependent invertebrate assemblage. guano enriches the soil, fostering communities of flies, beetles, and other detritivores, though specific endemic taxa remain understudied due to the islands' inaccessibility. No reptiles or amphibians have been recorded on the Solander Islands, a consequence of their isolation and harsh, terrain, which lacks suitable habitats for these groups. The absence of introduced terrestrial mammals further preserves the native invertebrate assemblages from predation and competition. Among marine mammals, fur seals () regularly haul out on the islands' shores, with historical beach counts recording 370 pups in 1973; more recent aerial surveys recorded 1,107 pups in 2009. Populations were severely depleted by 19th- and early 20th-century sealing activities, including operations in 1946 that harvested around 4,000 individuals. The surrounding waters historically served as a key migratory corridor and ground for southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). The nutrient-rich upwelling in Foveaux Strait supports diverse marine fauna around the islands, including reef-associated fish such as (Parapercis colias), a bottom-dwelling species common in southern waters. Crustaceans, including crabs and amphipods, abound in the intertidal zones, while extensive forests of species like Macrocystis pyrifera provide habitat and foraging grounds for these and other .

Avifauna

Breeding Seabirds

The Solander Islands serve as a key breeding site for the southern of Buller's albatross (Thalassarche bulleri bulleri), with approximately 5,000 pairs nesting primarily on steep cliffs and tussock-covered slopes. These birds form loose colonies on Big Solander Island (Hautere), where the majority of the population—around 4,800 pairs—breeds, and on Little Solander Island, hosting about 400 pairs. Adults return to the islands in mid-December, with egg-laying occurring from late December to mid-January; eggs hatch in March to April, and chicks fledge between August and September, marking an extended breeding season that spans roughly from December to September. Common diving petrels (Pelecanoides urinatrix) are abundant burrow-nesters on the islands, with estimates exceeding 300,000 pairs on the 8-hectare Little Solander Island alone (from a 1985 expedition) and likely higher numbers on Big Solander. These petrels excavate burrows in across slopes and flat ground, utilizing them year-round for breeding, prospecting, and roosting, though peak egg-laying occurs in mid-October in southern localities. Their breeding ecology involves laying a single , with chicks fledging after about two months, contributing to dense colony structures that cover significant portions of the islands' terrain. Smaller numbers of other seabirds also breed on the islands, including broad-billed prions (Pachyptila vittata) and sooty shearwaters (Ardenna grisea), which nest in burrows and crevices in limited colonies around the summit plateaus and edges. Broad-billed prions favor dry rock crevices for their nests, while sooty shearwaters occupy marginal habitats in low densities, as observed in historical surveys. Fiordland crested penguins (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) also breed in small numbers on the islands. The steep cliffs and remote location of the Solander Islands provide natural protection from introduced predators for these breeders, though deposits from all species enrich the oligotrophic soils, facilitating nutrient cycling that supports island vegetation. Historical sealing activities around the islands from 1803 to 1946 may have indirectly influenced marine prey availability for these seabirds by altering local predator-prey dynamics in surrounding waters.

Conservation Importance

The Solander Islands were designated as an (IBA) by , qualifying under criteria A1 (for globally threatened ), A4ii (for congregations of 1% or more of the global population of a ), and A4iii (for biogeographically concentrated congregations). This designation recognizes the islands' role as a key breeding site for southern Buller's albatross (Thalassarche bulleri bulleri), a vulnerable endemic to , with the colony representing approximately 40% of its global breeding population based on recent surveys. As one of only two breeding sites for southern Buller's —the other being the —the Solander Islands are integral to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and (ACAP), an international treaty focused on protecting seabirds threatened by incidental capture in fisheries and other pressures. The islands support dense colonies of this and other seabirds, enhancing their status as a stronghold for procellariiform conservation in the region. The islands contribute to New Zealand's by harboring endemic in a remote, unmodified , serving as an ecological outpost that sustains high levels of avian endemism amid oceanic productivity gradients. Periodic monitoring through aerial photographic surveys has tracked population trends, with censuses recording 4,912 breeding pairs of Buller's in 2002, 5,620 pairs in 2016, and 5,377 pairs in 2024, aiding in the assessment of stability and informing broader conservation strategies. Their isolation facilitates valuable scientific research on in undisturbed colonies, including studies on patterns, diet composition, and demographic dynamics that provide insights into the resilience of isolated populations facing environmental changes.

Conservation and Management

Protected Status

The Solander Islands are a specially protected area within , managed under the National Parks Act 1980, with management responsibilities held by the Department of Conservation (DOC) to preserve their indigenous , , and natural features in perpetuity. As part of , the islands fall within the broader – South West World Heritage Area, recognized by for its outstanding natural values. Access to the islands is strictly controlled, requiring a permit from for any visits, which are limited to scientific or conservation purposes; no public facilities, such as huts or tracks, exist to maintain the area's pristine condition and minimize disturbance. Management practices incorporate co-governance elements with , the with ancestral connections to the region, ensuring that cultural values and kaitiaki (guardianship) principles inform decision-making alongside ecological priorities. On the international stage, the Solander Islands hold recognition as a key breeding site under the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), highlighting their global significance for seabird populations. They are also designated as an by , underscoring their role in avian conservation.

Threats and Protection Measures

The ecosystems of the Solander Islands face primary threats from and , compounded by the islands' remote location and geological setting. The introduced (Gallirallus australis) on Big Solander Island preys on small procellariiform s such as broad-billed prions (Pachyptila vittata) and common diving petrels (Pelecanoides urinatrix), and occasionally targets eggs and chicks of Buller's (Thalassarche bulleri). Potential introductions of additional , including weeds and mammalian predators, arise from rare human visits, primarily via access for monitoring or research. These threats particularly endanger breeding populations, which rely on the islands' predator-limited environment. Climate change intensifies these risks by exacerbating establishment through altered temperature and precipitation patterns, while direct effects include rising sea levels and more intense storms that erode coastal cliffs and nesting sites. , driven by increased atmospheric CO₂ absorption, reduces the availability of calcifying marine prey like and , impacting food chains. Additionally, the islands' proximity to the Puysegur subduction zone exposes them to seismic activity and potential tsunamis, which could disrupt habitats and breeding cycles. Protection measures emphasize biosecurity and restricted access to mitigate these risks. Administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC) as part of Fiordland National Park, the islands require permits for all visits, with entry limited to helicopter landings to avoid vessel-based introductions; strict quarantine protocols, including gear cleaning, are enforced to prevent invasive species. DOC conducts ongoing surveillance for weeds and predators, with no problem weeds currently recorded, supported by periodic ecological surveys such as five-year plant and weed assessments on offshore islands. Recent monitoring includes a 2024 aerial survey estimating approximately 5,373 breeding pairs of southern Buller's albatross, supporting ongoing assessments of population trends and threats. Future strategies include climate adaptation planning integrated with Ngāi Tahu initiatives for South Island taonga species protection, focusing on resilience-building for seabird habitats.

References

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  34. https://www.birdsnz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Notornis_33_2-1986-pp77-89.pdf
  35. https://www.bmis-bycatch.org/system/files/zotero_attachments/library_1/ED24RCFJ%20-%20Baird%20NIWA%20Fur%20Seals%202011.pdf
  36. https://www.doc.govt.nz/documents/science-and-technical/nzsealingentire.pdf
  37. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/391110015_Towards_an_Abundance_Estimate_for_New_Zealand_Fur_Seal_in_New_Zealand
  38. https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/whaling-in-new-zealand-waters-1791-1963/page-7
  39. https://marinemammalscience.org/facts/physeter-macrocephalus/
  40. https://www.talleys.co.nz/seafood/species/blue-cod
  41. https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/the-kelp/
  42. https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-conservation-services/reports/202324-annual-plan/pop2023-02-aerial-survey-of-southern-buller-albatross-on-solander-island-final-report.pdf
  43. https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/bullers-albatross-thalassarche-bulleri
  44. http://www.marineornithology.org/article?rn=1666
  45. https://www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/common-diving-petrel
  46. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-017-02446-8
  47. https://www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/fiordland-crested-penguin
  48. https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/habitats/offshore-islands/new-zealands-subantarctic-islands/
  49. https://www.doc.govt.nz/documents/about-doc/role/policies-and-plans/national-park-management-plans/fiordland/fnpmp-june-2007.pdf
  50. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/551/
  51. https://tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/science/birds/kingdom-birds-expedition-solander-island
  52. https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fee.2285
  53. https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/climate-change-and-conservation/climate-change-in-new-zealand/
  54. https://www.doc.govt.nz/documents/science-and-technical/sfc045.pdf
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