Interesting places in Matiu / Somes Island:

WW2 Gun Emplacements

Location is derived from the great work of WikiMapia

Top photos chosen by u all:

Kakariki - red-crowned parakeet - Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae novaezelandiae
Made by Steve Attwood
Photographed on Matiu Somes Island. The Red-Crowned Parakeet, commonly known by its Maori name Kakariki, is a long tailed bright green parrot with a red crown, forehead and band of red which extends from the bill through the eye and beyond, crimson rump patches and violet blue on wing coverts and some outer flight feathers. Kakariki have a rapid, direct flight, usually above the canopy and often accompanied by a rapid loud chatter: ki-ki-ki-ki-ki. When feeding they are either silent or babble. Kakariki are very rare in the North Island, although this wasn't always the case. They were common in the 1880's but with the introduction of feral cats, stoats, and ship rats they became rare. They are even more rare in the South Island, but are widespread on Stewart Island and many predator-free island reserves. Kakariki eat a wide variety of plant seeds (particularly flax), fruit, berries, buds, shoots and flowers, as well as nectar and small invertebrates. They often feed on the ground rather than in the canopy, making them susceptible to mammalian predators. Red-crowned parakeets make their nests in holes in branches and trunks, ground burrows or densely matted vegetation Eleven male red crowned parakeets were first introduced to Matiu/Somes Island in 2004 and immediately began breeding with a further eleven females released in 2005. There are now good numbers of these birds throughout the island.


Coprosma repens - native to New Zealand
Made by Steve Attwood
Photographed on Matiu Somes Island Wellington New Zealand. Family: Rubiaceae The habit of this species varies markedly with its situation. In exposed situations, such as cliffs, it assumes a prostrate habit, while in more sheltered areas it can grow as a small tree up to 8 metres in height. It has thick and very glossy leaves which vary considerably in size, depending on exposure to the elements. The leaf margins are recurved, occasionally to the extent that the leaf may be cylindrical in cross-section. Flowers are produced in spring and summer, the male flowers appearing in dense, compound clusters, the female flowers in smaller clusters. Female plants produce orange-red ovoid drupes which are around 8 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length. The species is native to the North Island, South Island, Kermadec Islands and Three Kings Islands in New Zealand. In Australia it has become naturalised in coastal areas of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania. The species has been popular in coastal gardens due to its resistance to salt spray. There are a large number of cultivars.


portrait of Helen 2
Made by look c me
This picture was based on an old scan of a film shot taken on Somes Island, Wellington Harbour about 15 years ago. Somes Island was used as an internment camp during both World War ! and World War II. This shot was taken inside one of the old prisoners huts. The lighting was soft and I couldn't resist the snap of my wife looking out the window. for more details see www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/historic/by-region/wellingto...


Tarata - Lemonwood - Pittosporum eugenioide - seed capsules
Made by Steve Attwood
A New Zealand native tree photographed on matiu Somes Island. Tarata is a tree which grows up to 12 metres tall. Its leaves have a strong lemony smell. It has attractive showy flowers in October, followed by distinctive black seed capsules. It is found throughout New Zealand along forest margins and on stream banks from sea level to 600 metres. It is New Zealand's largest Pittosporum. Maori traditionally used the gum and crushed leaves and flowers of the tarata for scent.


Maximum security animal quarantine station, Somes Island
Made by Peter Hodge
I took this photo on a cloudy night, with the camera on a tripod and an exposure of 30 seconds. Light rain was falling, forcing me to constantly wipe the lens glass clean. I liked the murky look of the sky, and the side-lit outline of the main quarantine building. I wanted to evoke a mood, not exactly sinister, but certainly bleak - the cold, bare and banal architecture of 20th century industrial society.


I think its a robin
Made by arc13
But I dont know so I put the title as it is. This photo was taken at Somes ISland, a preserved island located 30 minutes of boat ride from Wellington City The Island had a history of being an early settlement as well as a quarantine area for European colonials who developed a disease that I had forgotten


Emerging from a Dark Lair
Made by robertandrewbell
It was a lovely day on Matiu/Somes Island when we went and there were skinks basking everywhere, however getting a close shot of one in the open was tricky. I'm not sure what species this is at the moment, possibly a Spotted Skink but if anyone knows different let me know.


_DSC2636
Made by ThunderAce
365 Days: Day 0095 Looking out over Wellington Harbour in the chilly morning breeze on Hallowe'en. Well, that was sunrise!! The clouds concealed the sun's arrival on the day but there were still some lovely subtle colours playing on the clouds.


Military Compound on Matiu Somes Island
Made by KiwiHugger
Matiu Somes Island has been many things - internment camp for POWs, quarantine station, and military defensive position. These ruins of the anti-aircraft gun emplacement from WWII are a reminder of that history. Wellington Harbour, NZ.


Matiu-Somes Island
Made by KiwiHugger
Matiu-Somes Island is a Department of Conservation breeding site for a variety of seabirds, skinks, and the rare native lizard, the tuatara. About 20 minutes by ferry from Wellington, New Zealand. Jan/07.


tractor somes island - trac·tor Noun/ˈtraktər/
Made by rach armstrong
1. A powerful motor vehicle with large rear wheels, used chiefly on farms for hauling equipment and trailers. 2. A short truck consisting of the driver's cab, designed to pull a large trailer.


Calling Kakariki in Backlit Ngaio
Made by robertandrewbell
Our ferry was delayed for an hour due to the RWC but as it turned out the late afternoon was a really nice time to be on Matiu-Somes Island with the Kakariki activity increasing loads


Memorial
Made by KiwiHugger
Immigrants to New Zealand were quarantined on Matiu / Somes Island in Wellington Harbour. Many died before being allowed to see their new home. Wellington NZ.


_DSC2498
Made by ThunderAce
365 Days: Day 0094 A peace shadow on the concrete structure of an air defence gun emplacement on Matiu/Somes Island in Wellington Harbour.


Canada Geese in NZ?
Made by KiwiHugger
The last place I expected to find Canada geese was in New Zealand! There's a flock of them on Matiu / Somes Island in Wellington Harbour. Wellington, NZ.


MH_20100226_1695DSC_6946_DxO_raw
Made by mike_harre
Matiu/Somes Island, this is one of the rangefinders for the guns on the island. Mint condition recently discovered in it's original crate apparently.


Lighthouse on Matiu-Somes Island
Made by KiwiHugger
The lighthouse on Matiu-Somes Island, Wellington Harbour, New Zealand. The station is operational but unmanned - everything is automated now. Jan/07.


Memorial
Made by KiwiHugger
A memorial for those detainees in quarantine who died on Matiu / Somes Island before being allowed to come ashore. Wellington Harbour, NZ.


Skink
Made by KiwiHugger
One of thousands of tiny skinks I saw while hiking on Matiu-Somes Island. About 20 minutes by ferry from Wellington, New Zealand. Jan/07.


Seagull - one of many on Matiu Somes
Made by Peter Hodge
One thing that struck me about Matiu Somes Island was the huge number of black-backed gulls - far more than we see on the mainland.