In an article written on the The Telegraph, they highlighted a remote chain of volcanic islets in the Pacific Ocean. Also called the Aitcho Islands, the name was given after a local fishing boat told local residents to go with them to get the area cleared of birds.
However, it is not uncommon to hear that they are also referred to as Mother and Son due to their shape and their status as a National Park. The islands are primarily situated in New Zealand’s Chatham Islands and in an area which was not originally inhabited by humans.
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Aitcho Islands History
The Aitcho Islands are located in New Zealand’s Chatham Islands and were not originally inhabited by humans. They became a National Park in 1967, although they have been inhabited for at least 12,000 years due to their strategic location – they sit between two major islands,
Stewart Island and Auckland Island. These islands were first discovered by European settlers in 1767 and claimed for New Zealand shortly thereafter. The names of the main islets appear to be derived from various Polynesian words; Au-ki-po (Auckland), Takuapa (Stew art), and Whang-ori (Monomoy).
Birdlife Of The Aitcho Islands
The Aitcho Islands are an important birdwatching location; Chatham Island birds visit regularly during the winter, and over a dozen introduced species (more than 10% of their birds) have now become endemic. The breeding success in some species is quite low due to predation by introduced rats on nests or eggs which was occurring before 1984 when cats were released on Auckland Island and Stewart Island.
Wandersame geese paired with white-faced storm petrels have also been recorded at Vakuta Bay though this observation needs further confirmation as it has not yet been published in journals so therefore it is possible that another observer may have recorded the same observations which appear to contradict one of my own field reports.
Smithsonian WHRB – New Zealand Breeding Birds The Aitcho Islands are also well known as an important breeding ground for seabirds with around 50 breeding species, including four penguins and 14 island petrels making it home to 6 out of 17 species on the rare list although most non-stone billed types avoid its rocky shores.
Many large birds can be spotted here such as Cory’s shearwater, Wilson’s storm petrel and wandering albatrosses but also kiwi do not shy away from nesting on and around the many rocky shores.
The vast majority of birds at these remote islands are found nowhere else in New Zealand although there is a good colony of fairy terns breeding here with 4-5 pairs spread irregularly along the main island coast which again suggest that these islands have served an ancient connection to old ocean routes.
Climate
The climate is mild, with the average daily minimum temperature being 0 °C in winter and 16 °C in summer.
Average rainfall is around 450 mm per year, spread over three seasons. The wettest month is January with an average of 54mm of rain and the driest month has only 9 mm of rain. The northern area of the Aitcho Island group is a saddle-shaped plateau that approaches higher in altitude to the south.
To describe this flattish forest separated by dry plains, one can use words such as “arid” or “Kiwi desert”, but these are incorrect and not descriptive of any inhabited place on Earth.
The main concentration lies at 1800m above sea level with an annual rainfall more than half way between 130mm (the all time record) at Hood Head Reserve and 12 mm recorded only once before October 2004 when it got wet enough falling 1 mm on a very rainy week.
This is the island equivalent to near Santa Fe, New Mexico’s much-awarded 4th highest city (highest in Canada) which never happened for us on Hood Head once over 2000 times since 1951 when we had some 15mm rain ending winter drought and setting new all time record rainfall records.
Culture
The culture of the Aitcho Island group is unique in that the traditional Māori way of life remains strong and alive. The population has a high level of bilingualism, with 89% able to speak both English and Māori. Education rates are also exceptionally high, with almost 87% of people aged 15 or over having completed at least secondary school.
Politics
The Aitcho Island group is a self-governing jurisdiction. The government is made up of a mayor and six councillors, who are elected by popular vote. The island has its own police force and postal service.
In October 2004 the Aitcho Island group became an autonomous region within New Zealand after achieving recognition from the government as an entity in its own right with limited powers to manage its own budget and make decisions on local issues.
Government Services
The government provides a range of services to residents, including health care, education, housing and infrastructure.
Economy
The Aitcho Island group has a thriving economy based largely on tourism. The island is known for its excellent skiing conditions and beautiful scenery. 20th century history of Aitcho Island and the other remote islands in NZ have been detailed in this video at 19 minutes with some background on the 1980s earthquakes which caused such problems for those who lived there.
Tourism
Tourism is the mainstay of the local economy, with visitors drawn to the island’s spectacular scenery and world-class skiing facilities. The region is also home to a number of small businesses that cater to tourists visiting attractions such as Aitcho Island Ski Area, Cathedral Cove and Lake Wakatipu.
There are occasional job opportunities on the island, but most people rely on tourism for their income. Unemployment rates are relatively low; in 2013, only 4% of residents were unemployed compared with 10% across New Zealand as a whole.
Transport
The island is accessible by ferry from Picton on the North Island. It is located from central areas. It has a fresh water reservoir, but the population relies on diesel generators and the electricity grid for supply of all its needs.
In 2010–2011 there was a major upgrade to Aitcho Island’s communications with telecommunications provided by Pacific Fibre (later renamed vocus) being installed in total over $5 million as part of Vocus’ strategic shift towards satellite uplinks at sea terminals which would incorporate Aitcho into Vocus’ global backhaul network linking Asia,
Europe and North America while using existing fibre undersea cable links between Australia and New Zealand.
Conclusion
The Aitcho archipelago is the largest island group in the southern part of the Outer Hebrides, located off the coast of Scotland, UK. It comprises of 4 main islands and many smaller islets. Beautifully located off the west coast of Scotland and with a unique unique beauty, this archipelago has been inhabited for centuries. This passage tells you about a few lesser-known facts about it.
FAQs
1.What Is The Aitcho Islands?
Ans: The Aitcho Islands are a small archipelago located in the Southern Hebrides off the coast of Scotland. The islands range in size from tiny islets to large mainlands, and they’re home to a population of just over 100 people.
2.What’s The Story Behind The Name Aitcho?
Ans: There’s no one answer to this question – it could be said that there are several different theories about its origins. One theory suggests that the islands’ original name was “Aoghorn,” but this was changed when Scottish settlers arrived onshore in 1810 and noticed that the locals were from the Gaelic tribe of “Aitchene”.
Another theory suggests that it has its roots in an old Scottish term for a castle, meaning both: “Strong rock” and “Defenceless place.” Aitcho is a colonisation name derived from Macgormae [MacGore-mEe], meaning ‘the fleet at sea.’
3.Is There An Age Requirement For Visitors To The Aitcho Islands?
Ans: There’s no specific age requirement for visitors to the Aitcho Islands – but we do advise that you take plenty of water with you, as there are no stores on the islands. You should also be aware that cell phone service is spotty at best, so make sure to bring enough provisions in case you get stuck offline.
4.Are There Any Restaurants Or Cafes On The Aitcho Isles?
Ans: There aren’t any restaurants or cafes on the Aitcho Islands – but there are a few basic establishments that offer basic essentials such as food and drink. This could mean anything from a package of sandwiches and tea to a loaf of freshly-baked bread.
5.If I Bring My Tent Or Campervan, Can I Camp On The Islands?
Ans: Camping is NOT permitted on the Aitcho Islands – but camping gear can be left by your vehicle at certain spots along some access routes that lead off all three main islands.
You’ll have no worries about overhanging branches half punching holes into your roof (despite rumours circulating online), though it’s advised that you keep kids adequately abreast because trees are very abundant here as well.
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