Rakituma / Preservation Inlet

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 Inlet
View of Te Awaroa Long Sound near the top of Rakituma Preservation Inlet
Te Awaroa / Long Sound, in the upper reaches of Rakituma / Preservation Inlet
Location of Rakituma
Location of Rakituma
Rakituma / Preservation Inlet
Location in New Zealand
Location of Rakituma
Location of Rakituma
Rakituma / Preservation Inlet
Rakituma / Preservation Inlet (New Zealand)
LocationTasman Sea
Coordinates46°08′S 166°34′E
Native nameRakituma (Māori)
Primary inflowsLong Burn, Gray River, Richard Burn, Margaret Stream, Jeanie Burn, Blacklock Stream, Dawson Burn
Catchment area562 square kilometres (217 sq mi)[1]
Basin countriesNew Zealand
Max. 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 Island
Sections/sub-basinsTe Awaroa / Long Sound, Useless Bay, Revolver Bay, Isthmus Sound, Otago Retreat

Geography

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.

History

Known 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

Fauna

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

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.

References
  1. 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.
  2. Warne, Kennedy (July–August 2009). "Walking the Line: The Telephone at the End of the World". New Zealand Geographic (98). Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  3. "Milford Sound New Zealand Fiordland Milford Sound Cruises Kayaking Activities, visitor information, transport, tramping, attractions, accommodation, dining". atoz-nz.com. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  4. "Te Awaroa". Kā Huru Manu. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  5. Wises New Zealand Guide, 7th edition, 1979. pp. 355-56
  6. "2. – Whaling – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". Teara.govt.nz. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  7. 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.
  8. Preservation Inlet from Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
  9. Wises New Zealand Guide, 7th edition, 1979. p. 77
  10. "NZGB notices – October 2019". Land Information New Zealand. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  11. Archived May 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  12. "Look out for endangered southern right whales | Scoop News". Scoop.co.nz. 20 May 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  13. Archived October 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  14. "Hector's Dolphin Threat Management Discussion Document" (PDF). Fish.govt.nz. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  15. "Fiordland Coastal Newsletter April 2011, Department of Conservation" (PDF). Doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
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