Information About Quail Island

1.What does the name Otamahua mean? Where does the name come from?
Otamahua means the place where children collect seabirds' eggs.
Captain Mein Smith named the island

2. Where did the name Quail Island came from?
The name Quail Island came from Europe

3. How big is the Quail Island?
The Quail Island is 81 hectares in area

4. How was the island created?

The island was created when Aoraki's grandson found Aoraki and his crew turned into stones and mourned their deaths. Aoraki's grandson made a rake and raked up all the ruble and started planting trees, putting seafood in the bays and harbours. He then put birds and shrubs on the land.

5. What wildlife is present on the island - native/ introduced
Animals like black-backed/karoro, red-billed gull/tarapunga, white-flippered penguins/korora, terns, shags, oystercatcher, fantails/piwakawaka and grey warblers/iroriro are on the island

6. Mahinga kai, food gathering was an important activity for Maori. What food did they gather from Otamahua?
Shellfish, Flax, Bird eggs, and other foods

7. How have introduced species (animals/birds/insects) damaged the invironment?
Rats and rabbits ate most of the eggs

8. What rules has DOC created to help protect Otamahua
No dogs, No littering, Don't pick the flowers