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.

Geography
Long Sound

A long narrow fiord extending north-eastwards between Gulches Head to the north and Puysegur Point to the south. Coal Island lies at the entrance. Its innermost arm is known as Long Sound which is the outlet of Long Burn.[1] 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 by Captain Eber Bunker in 1809. The first shore-based whaling station in New Zealand was established here in 1828[2] or 1829, exploiting southern right whales in the area.[1]

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.[1][3][4]

In October 2019, the name of the inlet was officially altered to Rakituma / Preservation Inlet.[5]

Ecology

Fauna

After a massive exploitation for over years, southern right whales finally started returning into the inlet along with Chalky Inlet.[6][7][8] There are anecdotal sightings of Hector's dolphins.[9] while bottlenose dolphins are more regularly observed. Southern elephant seals are occasionally observed resting on shore around the inlet.[10]

Access

No roads reach the coast at this point. However, a tramping track is available from Tuatapere. There is also access to the sound by sea or air.

References
  1. Wises New Zealand Guide, 7th Edition, 1979. pp. 355-56
  2. "2. – Whaling – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". Teara.govt.nz. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  3. Preservation Inlet from Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
  4. Wises New Zealand Guide, 7th Edition, 1979. p. 77
  5. "NZGB notices – October 2019". Land Information New Zealand. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  6. Archived May 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Look out for endangered southern right whales | Scoop News". Scoop.co.nz. 20 May 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  8. Archived October 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  9. "Hector's Dolphin Threat Management Discussion Document" (PDF). Fish.govt.nz. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  10. "Fiordland Coastal Newsletter April 2011, Department of Conservation" (PDF). Doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
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