The chatham islands 2021/22 wild earth travel - Discover the birds, plants & people of the Chatham Islands - Cruise Connections
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2021/22 wild earth travel the chatham islands Discover the birds, plants & people of the Chatham Islands
Why Wild Earth Travel?
Our journeys, whether land or cruise, are all about the most important element - where you are going. Due to current
times people are looking for meaningful journeys within our own backyard. We believe in finding our travellers those
experiences in the far reaches of Aotearoa | New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands, the Sub Antarctic Islands, the
isolated areas of Fiordland or navigating them through the Ross Sea to Antarctica.
Discover the
Chatham Islands...
The Chatham Islands are New Zealand’s eastern most
outpost, and the first place in the world to welcome the
new day. These islands are a treasure trove of endemic
plants and animals that have evolved in isolation and
make the Chatham Islands one of New Zealand’s most
biologically important regions.
The islands were originally colonized by the Moriori people
who created a unique lifestyle on the islands while living in
isolation from the outside world living on the abundant natural
resources of the sea and land. Later European and Maori
arrivals brought their own history and traditions which have
melded together to create the culture of the Chatham Islands.
Today many locals are descended from Moriori genealogy, a
culture that you can discover during your stay.
The Chatham Islands lie at the eastern extremity of the
Chatham Rise and were formed by a combination of volcanic
activity and uplift of the underlying basement rocks to create
the low lying rolling landscape of the main island while the
outlying smaller islands are the remains of individual volcanic
events. The fauna and flora of the Chatham’s has strong
affinities to the main islands of New Zealand but through
isolation many species have evolved to the local climate
becoming unique. The oceanic climate ensures a wide
diversity of species are able to flourish while the ocean brings
its own unique abundance of sea life.
Our itineraries are designed from our long experience of
travelling and working in these remarkable islands to give you
the opportunity to experience all the islands have to offer.
Mike Bell
Lois Croon
Image credit: O Liodden
Experience & Expertise
Meet Your Chatham Island Guides
Mike Bell: Ornithologist Lois Croon: Plants & Culture
Mike Bell has had a lifelong interest in birds and wildlife Lois Croon has both Maori and Moriori descendance and
conservation and has developed this into a career in has lived in the Chatham Islands now for near on fifty
avian conservation and research, with a BSc in ecology years. Married with four adult children, she considers
and over twenty years of practical experience he has herself a privileged woman who has all children living
a widely versatile skill set and a great many stories to on the Island. Plus seven grandchildren that are now
share. on and off the island at boarding school, university and
working.
He has worked throughout New Zealand but especially in the
Chatham Islands which he has been regularly travelling to Lois Croon and her husband Val live on 200 acres of whanau
since he was a teenager. His company, Wildlife Management land. Over time they have created the Admiral Garden which
International, is involved in a number of research and is open to the public, plus they have created two reserves
conservation projects throughout New Zealand including where they rehabilitate habitats for birds and the native
endangered bird research, monitoring and management; butterfly. Lois says her true passion is plants, she grows trees
predator eradication and control; bird capture, banding and not only for the whanau land and reserves but also several
tracking; project management and development. restoration projects one being a Kowhai restoration in a small
reserve she has fenced by the lagoon and another in the
Mike is dedicated to community based conservation and is township in Waitangi. She was working on a dune restoration
committed to helping provide local communities with the but sadly cyclone Pam took out many metres of dune and
skills and resources needed to achieve positive outcomes for she lost her plantings of Chatham Island Forget-me-not,
species and habitats. Fincinia Spiralis (Pingio) and Embergenia Grandifoliiaia (sow
thistle). Due to the volatile seas it has not been replanted.
His involvement with the Chatham Islands has spanned She says she has an understanding of the loss of Chatham
numerous projects but in recent years he has been closely Islands natural habitat due to the pests and what the local
involved with the Taiko Trust which has worked within the community has to face to make the changes to rehabilitate.
Tuku Reserve on the conservation of the critically endangered
Chatham Island Taiko and the restoration of the reserve.
In recent years Mike and the Trust have been working to Please note: Guides will vary dependent on trip, Mike Bell and Lois
Croon are two of several guides we have for Chatham Island trips
establish a new Chatham Island Albatross colony through the and may not be leading your chosen trip.
relocation of chicks to the reserve.
Chatham Islands: The Best Of
This itinerary will showcase the best of the island visiting the northern, eastern, southern and western corners plus
a day trip to Pitt Island. Listen to the locals sharing their stories, learn about the islands history and discover unique
flora and fauna. This itinerary will give you a taste of everything the island has to offer.
Discover
The Four Corners of the
8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS Chatham Islands
TRAVEL STYLE: Guided Land Journey
PRICE FROM: NZ$5,575 PP
TRIP DATES: EX Wellington: 5 - 12 November, 2021 EX Christchurch: 8 - 15 February, 2022 EX Auckland: 18 - 25 March, 2022
HIGHLIGHTS:
Kaingaroa
Maunganui > Enjoy the history, culture, geology, flora and fauna of the island
> Learn about the unique Chatham Islands flora and fauna
Ohira Bay
Henga Scenic Reserve > Explore the basalt columns of Ohira Bay
Waitangi > Visit Pitt Island, exploring the islands nature reserves
Chatham Island > Learn about the Moriori people and visit the Moriori Kopinga Marae
Owenga
> Visit the stone cottage at Maunganui Bay
Pitt Island &
South East Islands
ITINERARY:
DAY 1: FLY TO CHATHAM ISLANDS
DAY 2: DISCOVER KAINGAROA, NORTH EAST OF ISLAND
DAY 3: VISIT THE HENGA SCENIC RESERVE AND NURSERY
DAY 4: VISIT FARMS IN THE NORTH WEST, VISIT MAUNGANUI AND THE STONE COTTAGE
DAY 5: FLY TO PITT ISLAND FOR THE DAY
DAY 6: DISCOVER THE SOUTH COAST
DAY 7: VISIT THE HISTORIC OWENGA FISHING VILLAGE
DAY 8: RETURN HOME FROM THE CHATHAM ISLANDS
*Itinerary may change without warning
Chatham Islands: People and Plants
Discover the Chatham Islands, the unique botanical nature, the many endemic plant species and meet the locals
who call these islands their home. Visit the Henga Scenic Reserve and Nursery, walk through regenerative coastal
forest, learn about the sand dune vegetation and explore a Nikau Reserve that conserves a broadleaf forest and
fine stand of endemic Nikau Palms.
Discover
The Endemic plants
8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS
TRAVEL STYLE: Guided Land Journey
PRICE FROM: NZ$5,575 PP
TRIP DATES: EX Christchurch: 26 October - 2 November, 2021 EX Auckland: 13 - 20 November, 2021
HIGHLIGHTS:
Kaingaroa
Maunganui > Enjoy the history, culture, geology, flora and fauna of the island
> Be amongst the first in the world to see the sun
Ohira Bay
Henga Scenic Reserve > Learn about the unique Chatham Islands birds and plants
Waitangi > Focus on the unique botanical nature of the islands and visit the Henga Scenic Reserve and Nursery
Chatham Island > Visit Pitt Island, exploring the islands nature reserves
Owenga
> Explore the basalt columns of Ohira Bay
Pitt Island & > Learn about the Moriori people and visit the Moriori Kopinga Marae
South East Islands
ITINERARY:
DAY 1: FLY TO CHATHAM ISLANDS
DAY 2: KAINGAROA, NORTH EAST OF ISLAND
DAY 3: VISIT THE HENGA SCENIC RESERVE AND NURSERY
DAY 4: VISIT THE NORTH WEST - FARMLAND, MAUNGANUI AND THE HISTORIC STONE COTTAGE
DAY 5: FLY TO PITT ISLAND
DAY 6: DISCOVER THE SOUTH COAST
DAY 7: OWENGA: DISCOVER THE ISLANDS HISTORY AND CULTURE
DAY 8: RETURN HOME FROM THE CHATHAM ISLANDS
*Itinerary may change without warning
Chatham Islands: The Wild Side
This is one of our most comprehensive Chatham Island itineraries, taking you to the remote corners to discover many
of the unique bird species that call the Chatham Islands home. Enjoy a boat trip to watch the birdlife that spends its
time at sea, and sail close by SE Island and Mangere Island. Also stay a night at the Taiko Camp watching the Chatham
Island Taiko.
Your booking helps support
The Taiko Camp
8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS
TRAVEL STYLE: Guided Land Journey
PRICE FROM: NZ$6,975 PP
TRIP DATES: EX Christchurch: 4 - 11 January, 2022 EX Wellington: 14 - 21 January, 2022
Your booking helps support the Taiko Camp.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Kaingaroa
Maunganui > Enjoy the history, culture, geology, flora and fauna of the islands
> Spend a full day exploring the outer islands of the Chathams from the water including SE Island and Mangere
Ohira Bay
Henga Scenic Reserve > Travel with Mike Bell, one of the foremost experts on the Chatham Islands birdlife
Waitangi > Spend a night at Taiko Camp watching for Chatham Island Taiko
Chatham Island > Learn about the unique Chatham Islands birds and plants
Owenga
> Explore the basalt columns of Ohira Bay
Pitt Island & > Visit Pitt Island, exploring the islands nature reserves
South East Islands
> Learn about the Moriori people and visit the Moriori Kopinga Marae
ITINERARY:
DAY 1: CHRISTCHURCH TO CHATHAM ISLANDS
DAY 2: KAINGAROA, NORTH EAST OF ISLAND
DAY 3: VISIT THE SOUTH EAST OUTER ISLANDS TO ENJOY THE BIRD LIFE AT SEA
DAY 4: VISIT FARMS IN THE NORTH WEST, VISIT MAUNGANUI AND THE STONE COTTAGE
DAY 5: FLY TO PITT ISLAND
DAY 6: DISCOVER THE SOUTH COAST, VISIT THE AWATOTARA RESERVE & CHATHAM ISLAND TAIKO TRUST
DAY 7: OWENGA FISHING VILLAGE
DAY 8: RETURN TO CHRISTCHURCH
*Itinerary may change without warning
Chatham Islands: Fish & Farm
Spend eight days meeting and listening to the Chatham Island locals as they share stories of living in New Zealand’s
eastern outpost. Discover their connection with the land and sea. Enjoy the opportunity to sample the array of food
exports that put the Chatham Islands on the global stage from blue cod to honey.
Discover
The Taste of the
8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS Land & Sea
TRAVEL STYLE: Guided Land Journey
PRICE FROM: NZ$5,875 PP
TRIP DATES: EX Christchurch: 7 - 14 December, 2021
No single supplement
HIGHLIGHTS:
Kaingaroa
Maunganui > Enjoy the history, culture, geology, flora, fauna and food of the island
Ohira Bay > Learn about the importance of bees on the island plus enjoy visiting the unique Go Wild, a company producing
freeze dried honey
Henga Scenic Reserve
> Visit the Wharekauri Station, meet farmer Tony Anderson and hear stories of sheep and beef farming in such a
Waitangi
remote environment
Chatham Island > Enjoy a half day fishing trip and be rewarded with a delicious meal of blue cod
Owenga
> Explore the basalt columns of Ohira Bay
Pitt Island & > Visit Pitt Island, exploring the islands nature reserves
South East Islands
> Enjoy a tour of the Chatham Island Food company
ITINERARY:
DAY 1: CHRISTCHURCH TO CHATHAM ISLANDS
DAY 2: KAINGAROA, NORTH EAST OF ISLAND
DAY 3: VISIT THE HENGA SCENIC RESERVE & NURSERY AND GO WILD BEES
DAY 4: VISIT FARMS IN THE NORTH WEST, VISIT MAUNGANUI AND THE STONE COTTAGE
DAY 5: FLY TO PITT ISLAND
DAY 6: DISCOVER THE SOUTH COAST AND ENJOY A HALF DAY FISHING CHARTER
DAY 7: OWENGA FISHING VILLAGE
DAY 8: RETURN TO CHRISTCHURCH
*Itinerary may change without warning
Additional Information:
Our itineraries are all focused on showing you the most important areas of the Island, taking you north, east, south
& west. Whether you are on a speciality tour or the Best Of, you will see some amazing landscapes, have unique
wildlife experiences and learn about the Islands rich history!
Chatham Islands Highlights
KAINGAROA & TE WHANGA LAGOON nature reserves, visiting Mt Hakepa and THE WILD SIDE EXCLUSIVE:
Here the coastline is a mixture of sweeping enjoying lunch at the Flower Pott Lodge. THE OUTER ISLANDS
white sand beaches interrupted only by Board a boat and explore the outer islands
occasional headlands where both Chatham THE SOUTH COAST in the South East of the Chathams, and the
and Pitt Islands Shags are often seen as well The south coast of the Chatham Island is incredibly rich waters that surround the
as Fur Seals breeding on the rocks below. You completely different to the rest of the island, islands. There will be the opportunity for
will see some of the best examples of the rising to higher elevations and still retaining spotting some of the endemic seabirds
Chatham’s unique coastal vegetation plus significant areas of vegetation that thrives in including Chatham Albatross, Buller’s
Kaingaroa is historically important as one of the thick peat that blankets the landscape. Albatross, Northern Royal Albatross, Petrels,
the first areas settled by Europeans. Prions and Shearwaters that all breed
AWATOTARA RESERVE locally. Adjacent to Pitt Island are two of the
HAPUPU RESERVE The enigmatic Taiko or Magenta Petrel was most significant islands in New Zealand
Enjoy the privilege of visiting the Hapupu rediscovered breeding in the remote forests conservation and we plan to sail close by both
Reserve where the Kopi trees still bear the along the south coast and is now intensively SE Island and Mangere. These islands are
enigmatic engravings of the Moriori. managed to ensure its ongoing survival. central to the survival story of the Chatham
A visit to the Awatotara Reserve is an Island Black Robin and provide a refuge for a
WAITANGI WEST, MAUNGANUI & excellent opportunity to see a great example number of other critically endangered birds
OHIRA BAY of community lead conservation making a including New Zealand Shore Plover and
In the North West of the Chatham’s there real difference as the forest regenerates and Forbes Parakeet.
are extensive farms, fern lands and striking birdlife flourishes, be on the lookout for the
volcanic cones. Travelling to the road’s end at endemic Chatham Island Pigeon, Tomtit, FISH & FARM EXCLUSIVE:
Waitangi West we find sweeping white sand Fantail and Warbler. CHATHAM ISLAND FOOD CO.
beaches and there is the opportunity to look Chatham Island Food Co is a small, family
for the endemic Oyster Catcher. On the lower OWENGA FISHING VILLAGE owned business located on the remote
slopes of Maunganui visit the stone cottage, The fishing village of Owenga is Chatham Islands. They produce & deliver
built entirely of local materials including where you will be able to see the statue premium seafood from the pristine Chatham
mortar made from burnt pipi shells in about commemorating Tommy Solomon, the Islands waters to domestic & international
1870. At Ohira Bay explore the massive last full blooded Moriori. Standing atop the markets.
columnar basalt columns that are nearly 80 Rangaiki Cliffs with their 250m high sheer
million years old. drop to the sea below there are amazing
NOTE:
views on a clear day to Pitt and Mangere
These are just some of the places that you
PITT ISLAND Islands. The Kopinga Marae is an expression
will explore and visit. Every trip may differ due
Fly to Pitt Island, the second largest Island in of Moriori spirituality and culture and an
to weather or factors out of control.
the Chatham’s and the only other inhabited opportunity for you to learn about the history
island, with a population of just 45. Spend of the first inhabitants of the Chatham
For full itineraries please contact Wild
a day on Pitt Island, exploring the islands Islands (known to Moriori as Rekohu). Earth Travel.
YOUR TOUR INCLUSIONS
Accommodation & EXCLUSIONS:
We have several accommodation options on the Island. Where you stay will
vary dependent on your tour date. All are located in or close to the main INCLUSIONS
settlement of Waitangi and offer a comfortable stay during your time on the
Island. Below are some of the options: > Return air travel on Air Chathams
> Seven nights accommodation
> All meals including continental
breakfast / picnic lunches / buffet
dinners
> All sightseeing, activities and entry
fees as per your selected itinerary.
> Full day Pitt Island tour including
flights and lunch
HOTEL CHATHAM: FORGET ME NOT SUITES:
> A 90 page ‘Discover the Chatham
This is the largest accommodation on the This is some of the most exclusive
Islands’ booklet and map on arrival
island and is located in the heart of Waitangi accommodation on the island, these nine
overlooking the bay. It includes the Chatham new suites were opened in 2020.Spacious
Island’s only bar and restaurant. There are 20 and luxurious with kitchen, ensuite and
rooms from executive suites to single rooms. private veranda overlooking Waitangi Bay. EXCLUSIONS
Double/twin rooms have sea views.
> Cost of travel to/from Christchurch
airport
> Travel Insurance
> Personal purchases - drinks with
meals/souvenirs etc.
Enquire with Wild Earth Travel if
you are a single traveller.
Please note: All itineraries
TRAVELLERS REST: CHATHAM RISE MOTEL: are different and include
An historical villa located in the heart of Ideal for independent travellers, small groups different tours, activities and
Waitangi, adjoining Waitangi Store, it and visiting workers. One large five-double accommodation. For more
bedroom house, one two-double bedroom information please contact
includes three large traditional rooms and Wild Earth Travel or your Travel
two self-contained units. A large shared and two self-contained double units. representative.
lounge and traditional porch with sea views
complete the experience.
Enquire with Wild Earth Travel for more information: PH: 0800 945 3327 | 03 365 1355 Email: info@wildearth-travel.com
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