The Snares
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The Snares (also known as Tini Heke and, unofficially, as Snares Islands) are a small island group approximately 200 kilometres south of New Zealand's South Island. The Snares consist of the main island (North East Island) and the smaller Broughton Island as well as the somewhat isolated Western Chain. As a group of islands, the Snares are located at , and cover a total of approximately 3.5 km².
The island group was first charted in 1791 by Captain George Vancouver and named "The Snares" because Vancouver considered the islands a shipping hazard. They were already known to the Māori, who called one of the larger islands Te Taniwha ("The sea-monster"). Unlike other subantarctic islands that were greatly affected by the whaling and sealing industry in the 19th century, The Snares remain one of the last pristine areas in New Zealand.
The islands are home of endemic bird species such as the Snares Penguin (Eudyptes robustus) and the Snares Island snipe (Coenocorypha aucklandica heugli) as well as several endemic invertebrates. North East Island is forested and is the world's premier breeding area for the Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus) with up to 3 million individuals being present during the breeding season (November-April). A dangerous reef (Seal Reef) lies ten kilometres to the south of the group. Megaherb communities grow on the islands.
The Islands enjoy a status of high protection and are rated as 'minimum impact islands'. Landing on the island is generally prohibited or by special research permit only.
