Quail island (Otamahua in Maori, also known as Te Kawakawa) is a small uninhabited island within Lyttelton Harbour. The island was given its European name by Captain Mein Smith who saw native quail here in 1842; although they were already extinct by 1875. It was often visited to collect shellfish, flax, bird eggs as well as stone for tools.
People that had caught influenza were also sent here, along with people that had leprosy and settlers who arrived in New Zealand with diseases such as Measles. They were forced to live on the island and inside the small houses that were built. They were not allowed contact with the general population.
Learning about all of the natural resources in New Zealand that has been ruined/ is going to be. Like the trees, and the birds and the ocean. We need to keep everything healthy in Quail island and everywhere else in New Zealand.
Successes - They got rid of most predators, except mice and deer. They have already started native planting and native birds are starting to return to the island.
Problem - They still have mice and deer. Many of the nesting boxes for the White Flippered Penguin were destroyed in the earthquakes and they currently have a Penguin Project underway for sponsorship to replace these.
It was a good experience going to Quail island, although it was a lot of walking and it was a hot day. I think that we need to stop littering and ruining our bush life and ocean because if we keep doing what we're doing right now there will no longer be any bush life in New Zealand.
