Rakituma / Preservation Inlet is the southernmost fiord in Fiordland National Park and lies on the southwest corner of the South Island of New Zealand. With an area of 93 square kilometres (36 sq mi), it is the fourth largest fiord in New Zealand, after Tamatea / Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound / Patea, and the neighbouring Taiari / Chalky Inlet to the north. Rakituma was briefly the site of an attempted fishing and gold mining settlement at Cromarty during the 19th century, however this was quickly abandoned once the level of gold declined in relation to more promising fields elsewhere.[2]
As with Taiari / Chalky Inlet immediately to the north, Rakituma / Preservation Inlet has reasonably complex geography, resembling an inlet in its outer reaches more than the well-defined fiords to the north. According to Māori legend, these fiords were carved by the demigod Tū-te-raki-whānoa using his adze, Te Hamo. Starting from the south with Rakituma, his initial efforts were rough and resulted in rough coastlines with many islands, before perfecting his technique by the time he created Piopiotahi at the north.[3]
The main body of Rakituma is connected to the Tasman Sea by two passages, separated by Coal Island. The main passage of the fiord sits to the north of the island and is 1.67 kilometres (1.04 mi) wide at its narrowest point. Otago Retreat separates Coal Island from the mainland to the south, which has an average width of less than a kilometre and just 375 metres (1,230 ft) at its narrowest point. Numerous smaller islands are located in the middle portion of the fiord, between Coal Island and the entrance to Te Awaroa / Long Sound. The southern half of this section is dominated by two large islands, Weka / Long Island and Steep-to Island, while the northern half has many more smaller islands as part of the Cording Islands group.
Towards the northeast of the lower portion of the fiord, it again splits in two. The upper half forms a roughly 5-kilometre-long arm known as Isthmus Sound, while the lower half forms a narrow channel to the inner fiord. After two further arms – Useless Bay to the north, and Revolver Bay to the south – the fiord changes from its predominant northeasterly direction to the northwest for 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi). After this, the fiord turns back to its original orientation for the remainder of its length. This inner portion of the fiord, running for approximately 16.5 kilometres (10.3 mi), is known as Te Awaroa / Long Sound. Both the European and Māori portions of this name refer to the fiord's length, with Awaroa translating as "long river".[4] At its head, this fiord is in turn fed by the outlet of Long Burn.[5]Gray River flows nearby the inlet. A large part of the interior of Preservation Inlet is protected by the Te Tapuwae o Hua (Long Sound) Marine Reserve.
Historyedit
Known to early sealers and whalers, it was named Port Preservation by CaptainEber Bunker in 1809. The first shore-based whaling station in New Zealand was established here in 1828 or 1829 by Captain Peter Williams, exploiting southern right whales in the area.[6][5][7]
In the 1890s gold deposits were found. Two settlements, known as Cromarty and Te Oneroa, were established in Kisbee Bay for miners. However by 1904 only a few miners were left, and few traces of the settlements remain though in places large pieces of rusting equipment can be seen in the regenerating bush at the sites of the historic Alpha and Golden Mines.[5][8][9]
In October 2019, the name of the inlet was officially altered to Rakituma / Preservation Inlet.[10]
No roads reach the coast at this point. However, a tramping track is available from Tuatapere to Big River, east of Preservation Inlet. After Big River there is no continuous track or marked route to the inlet. There is also access to the sound by sea or air.
Referencesedit
^ abcdeStanton, B. R.; Pickard, G. L. (1981). Physical Oceanography of the New Zealand Fiords(PDF). Wellington: New Zealand Oceanographic Institute. p. 14. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
^Warne, Kennedy (July–August 2009). "Walking the Line: The Telephone at the End of the World". New Zealand Geographic (98). Retrieved 25 December 2021.
^"Fiordland Coastal Newsletter April 2011, Department of Conservation" (PDF). Doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
External linksedit
Otago Geology video of the site
January 01, 1970
rakituma, preservation, inlet, southernmost, fiord, fiordland, national, park, lies, southwest, corner, south, island, zealand, with, area, square, kilometres, fourth, largest, fiord, zealand, after, tamatea, dusky, sound, doubtful, sound, patea, neighbouring,. Rakituma Preservation Inlet is the southernmost fiord in Fiordland National Park and lies on the southwest corner of the South Island of New Zealand With an area of 93 square kilometres 36 sq mi it is the fourth largest fiord in New Zealand after Tamatea Dusky Sound Doubtful Sound Patea and the neighbouring Taiari Chalky Inlet to the north Rakituma was briefly the site of an attempted fishing and gold mining settlement at Cromarty during the 19th century however this was quickly abandoned once the level of gold declined in relation to more promising fields elsewhere 2 Rakituma Preservation InletRakituma Maori Te Awaroa Long Sound in the upper reaches of Rakituma Preservation InletRakituma Preservation InletLocation in New ZealandShow map of FiordlandRakituma Preservation InletRakituma Preservation Inlet New Zealand Show map of New ZealandLocationTasman SeaCoordinates46 05 20 S 166 38 31 E 46 089 S 166 642 E 46 089 166 642Primary inflowsLong Burn Gray River Richard Burn Margaret Stream Jeanie Burn Blacklock Stream Dawson BurnCatchment area562 square kilometres 217 sq mi 1 Basin countriesNew ZealandMax length36 5 kilometres 22 7 mi 1 Max width1 8 kilometres 1 1 mi 1 Surface area93 square kilometres 36 sq mi 1 Average depth371 square kilometres 143 sq mi 1 IslandsOnly Islands Cording Islands Weka or Long Island Steep to Island Coal IslandSections sub basinsTe Awaroa Long Sound Useless Bay Revolver Bay Isthmus Sound Otago Retreat Rakituma Preservation Inlet Contents 1 Geography 2 History 3 Ecology 3 1 Fauna 4 Access 5 References 6 External linksGeography editAs with Taiari Chalky Inlet immediately to the north Rakituma Preservation Inlet has reasonably complex geography resembling an inlet in its outer reaches more than the well defined fiords to the north According to Maori legend these fiords were carved by the demigod Tu te raki whanoa using his adze Te Hamo Starting from the south with Rakituma his initial efforts were rough and resulted in rough coastlines with many islands before perfecting his technique by the time he created Piopiotahi at the north 3 The main body of Rakituma is connected to the Tasman Sea by two passages separated by Coal Island The main passage of the fiord sits to the north of the island and is 1 67 kilometres 1 04 mi wide at its narrowest point Otago Retreat separates Coal Island from the mainland to the south which has an average width of less than a kilometre and just 375 metres 1 230 ft at its narrowest point Numerous smaller islands are located in the middle portion of the fiord between Coal Island and the entrance to Te Awaroa Long Sound The southern half of this section is dominated by two large islands Weka Long Island and Steep to Island while the northern half has many more smaller islands as part of the Cording Islands group Towards the northeast of the lower portion of the fiord it again splits in two The upper half forms a roughly 5 kilometre long arm known as Isthmus Sound while the lower half forms a narrow channel to the inner fiord After two further arms Useless Bay to the north and Revolver Bay to the south the fiord changes from its predominant northeasterly direction to the northwest for 5 5 kilometres 3 4 mi After this the fiord turns back to its original orientation for the remainder of its length This inner portion of the fiord running for approximately 16 5 kilometres 10 3 mi is known as Te Awaroa Long Sound Both the European and Maori portions of this name refer to the fiord s length with Awaroa translating as long river 4 At its head this fiord is in turn fed by the outlet of Long Burn 5 Gray River flows nearby the inlet A large part of the interior of Preservation Inlet is protected by the Te Tapuwae o Hua Long Sound Marine Reserve History editKnown to early sealers and whalers it was named Port Preservation by Captain Eber Bunker in 1809 The first shore based whaling station in New Zealand was established here in 1828 or 1829 by Captain Peter Williams exploiting southern right whales in the area 6 5 7 In the 1890s gold deposits were found Two settlements known as Cromarty and Te Oneroa were established in Kisbee Bay for miners However by 1904 only a few miners were left and few traces of the settlements remain though in places large pieces of rusting equipment can be seen in the regenerating bush at the sites of the historic Alpha and Golden Mines 5 8 9 In October 2019 the name of the inlet was officially altered to Rakituma Preservation Inlet 10 Ecology editFauna edit After a massive exploitation for over years southern right whales finally started returning into the inlet along with Chalky Inlet 11 12 13 There are anecdotal sightings of Hector s dolphins 14 while bottlenose dolphins are more regularly observed Southern elephant seals are occasionally observed resting on shore around the inlet 15 Access editNo roads reach the coast at this point However a tramping track is available from Tuatapere to Big River east of Preservation Inlet After Big River there is no continuous track or marked route to the inlet There is also access to the sound by sea or air References edit a b c d e Stanton B R Pickard G L 1981 Physical Oceanography of the New Zealand Fiords PDF Wellington New Zealand Oceanographic Institute p 14 Retrieved 1 August 2020 Warne Kennedy July August 2009 Walking the Line The Telephone at the End of the World New Zealand Geographic 98 Retrieved 25 December 2021 Milford Sound New Zealand Fiordland Milford Sound Cruises Kayaking Activities visitor information transport tramping attractions accommodation dining atoz nz com Retrieved 25 December 2021 Te Awaroa Ka Huru Manu Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu Retrieved 25 December 2021 a b c Wises New Zealand Guide 7th edition 1979 pp 355 56 2 Whaling Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand Teara govt nz 13 July 2012 Retrieved 20 June 2015 Prickett Nigel 1983 An Archaeological Reconnaissance of the Shore Whaling Industry on Kapiti Island New Zealand Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum 20 41 63 ISSN 0067 0464 JSTOR 42906515 Wikidata Q58677530 Preservation Inlet from Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand Wises New Zealand Guide 7th edition 1979 p 77 NZGB notices October 2019 Land Information New Zealand 17 October 2019 Retrieved 15 December 2019 1 Archived May 23 2010 at the Wayback Machine Look out for endangered southern right whales Scoop News Scoop co nz 20 May 2009 Retrieved 20 June 2015 2 Archived October 16 2008 at the Wayback Machine Hector s Dolphin Threat Management Discussion Document PDF Fish govt nz Retrieved 20 June 2015 Fiordland Coastal Newsletter April 2011 Department of Conservation PDF Doc govt nz Retrieved 20 June 2015 External links editOtago Geology video of the site Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rakituma Preservation Inlet amp oldid 1224103221, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
