Ōtamahua / Quail Island
< Ōtamahua
Ōtamahua (Māori) | |
|---|---|
View of Ōtamahua / Quail Island | |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 43°38′S 172°41′E / 43.63°S 172.69°E |
| Area | 0.8 km2 (0.31 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 86 m (282 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Ōtamahua / Quail Island (Māori: Ōtamahua or Te Kawakawa) is an 81 ha (200 acres) uninhabited island within Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō in the South Island of New Zealand, close to Christchurch. The island was given its European name by Captain William Mein Smith who saw native quail here in 1842; though they were already extinct by 1875. Ōtamahua means 'the place where children collect sea eggs'. Te Kawakawa refers to the pepper trees found on the island.