Stephenson Island (New Zealand)

This article is about an island in New Zealand. For other islands with a similar name, see Stephenson Island. For the lake island in New Zealand's Lake Wanaka, see Stevensons Island.

Stephenson Island

Stephenson Island
Geography
Location	Whangaroa Bay
Coordinates	34°58′S 173°47′E
Total islands	1
Area	1.1 km^2 (0.42 sq mi)
Length	2.4 km (1.49 mi)
Width	0.8 km (0.5 mi)
Highest elevation	132 m (433 ft)
Highest point	Ririwha
Administration
New Zealand
Demographics
Population	0
Pop. density	0/km^2 (0/sq mi)

Stephenson Island, also called Mahinepua Island, is the larger of a pair of small islands 3,275 metres (2.035 mi) off the northern coast of New Zealand in Whangaroa Bay.[1][2] It is approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long and 0.5 miles (0.80 km) wide, positioned with the major axis running northwest to southeast. The area is 112 hectares (0.43 sq mi).[1] Immediately to the northwest lies the smaller Cone Island. Satellite imagery indicates that the islands are partially forested and contain only two sites with buildings as discernible signs of habitation.[2]

Land Information New Zealand records show that the islands are jointly owned by eleven families and are classified as Maori Land.^[citation needed]

The Māori name for Stephenson Island is Mahinepua Island, which is rarely seen on maps; both are official names for the island.[3] The highest point is Ririwha, at 132 metres (433 ft) elevation.[4]

Notable people

• Ani Hona (1938–1997), writer, poet; founding member of the Te Reo Māori Society

See also

• List of islands of New Zealand
• List of islands
• Desert island

References

1. Department of Statistics, The University of Auckland. "Rodent Invasion Project, Stephenson Island / Mahinepua". Archived 2013-02-19 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 1 February 2013.
2. iTouchMap. "Stephenson Island, New Zealand". Accessed 1 February 2013.
3. Land Information Gazette NZ Place names Lookup. Accessed 6 January 2020
4. NZ Topo Map. "Stephenson Island (Mahinepua Island)". Accessed 1 February 2013.

34.96°S 173.78°E / -34.96; 173.78