Quail Island Information

1. What does the name Otamahua mean? It means Where Children Collected Sea Bird Eggs. Where does the name come from? It's where children collect sea-eggs.
2. Where did the name come from? It was named by Captain William Mein Smith.
3. How big is the Island? 81 ha
4. How was the Island created? (Down Below)
5. What Wildlife is present on the Island-native/introduced? Different Species Of Birds such as black-backed/karoro and red-billed gull/tarāpunga, white-flippered penguins/kororā, terns, shags and oystercatchers are often seen from the observation point. Fantails/pīwakawaka and grey warblers/ iroriro, and on warmer weathers Lizards, Geckos, Skins appear also pests that eat native birds lives there.
6. Mahinga kai, food gathering was an important activity for Maori. What food did they gather from Otamahua?
7. How Have Introduced Species? (Animals/Birds/Insects) The introduced animals like rabbits and rats ate most of the native eggs on the Island and that's why the quails on Quail Island are extinct.
8. What rules has DOC created to help protect Otamahua? No Dogs, No littering, No fires- except bbq in the picnic area, respect plants and animals on the island.