Mahia Peninsula
| Mahia Peninsula | |
 Landsat satellite photo from NASA of the Mahia Peninsula |
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| Geographical location | |
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| Coordinates | 39 ° 9 ′ S , 177 ° 54 ′ E |
| location | South of Gisborne on the east coast of the North Island , New Zealand |
| Waters 1 | Hawke Bay , Pacific Ocean |
| Waters 2 | Pacific Ocean |
| length | 21.7 km |
| width | 11.3 km |
The Mahia Peninsula is a peninsula on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand , between Napier and Gisborne .
geography
The peninsula is 21.7 km long and 11.3 km wide. The highest point is at Rahuimokairoa at 403 m above sea level. Mahia was originally an island that was gradually connected to the main island by a sandbar.
Whales are often stranded in the shallow waters. There used to be a whaling station at the Kini Kini farm on the west coast of the peninsula in the protection of Long Point .
The small island of Portland Island is just under 1400 meters from Ahuriri Point , the southern tip of the peninsula . The island was named by the Māori Kahungunu Waikawa when he was looking for drinking water here and only found salt water. Waikawa means "acidic water". There is an automatic lighthouse on the island.
Culture
The area is a popular holiday area for sea vacations. The economy is therefore determined by tourism. Sheep and cattle breeding are still important for part of the local population. The most popular pastimes in Mahia are surfing, diving, hiking, fishing, rugby. Many of the tourists stay overnight in Napier, Hastings or Wairoa and go on day trips to the peninsula.
In the Māori legends, Whatonga, who came to New Zealand in search of his grandfather Toi, settled in Mahia. The residents today are a mix of Māori and Europeans. The local Iwi (tribe) of the Māori are known as Ngāti Rongomaiwahine .
Spaceport
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In March 2016, the construction of a private spaceport began by the Rocket Lab company and on May 25, 2017 the first successful test launch of an electron rocket was carried out in the Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 ( ), making New Zealand the eleventh space nation.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Ngāti Rongomaiwahine - Te Ara - (accessed January 5, 2010)
- ↑ Hamish McNicol: Rocket Lab successfully launches first test rocket but falls short of orbit. In: Stuff.co.nz of May 25, 2017. Retrieved May 25, 2017 (English).