Kapiti Island

　　   Kapiti Island is located in the southwestern part of New Zealand’s North Island. It is an uninhabited island situated at the northern end of the Cook Strait. Covering an area of 23 square kilometres (9 square miles), the island features rugged terrain, with half of it covered in forest. In 1897, nearly all of the island was designated as a wildlife sanctuary, and it is now a bird sanctuary. Since 1897, Kapiti Island has been a nature reserve. Many of the bird species living on the island today are rare elsewhere or have become extinct. A maximum of 50 visitors are allowed on the island each day, and advance booking is required. Permits can be obtained through the Department of Conservation office in Wellington. Thanks to the eradication of pests and invasive species, bird populations have been steadily increasing. The numbers of the little spotted kiwi have grown rapidly on Kapiti. Recently, 20 captive-raised short-tailed bats have been released into the wild on the island, marking the world’s first successful bat translocation for conservation purposes. Everything on the island is protected—all rubbish must be taken off the island, and lighting fires is prohibited. The Kapiti Island Nature Reserve is one of New Zealand’s most important protected areas. Here, you can experience what New Zealand was like before human settlement. The unique island is just a 30-minute boat ride away, and you can hire a guide to explore the island and learn about its history from a Māori perspective. Entry to the Kapiti Island Nature Reserve requires a permit in advance. Visitors need to arrange transport to the island through a licensed tourism operator. Practical Information: Boat services to the island operate from Paraparaumu Beach.