Portland Island (New Zealand)
Portland Island | ||
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Location of Port Island | ||
Waters | Pacific Ocean | |
Geographical location | 39 ° 17 ′ 0 ″ S , 177 ° 52 ′ 0 ″ E | |
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length | 3 km | |
width | 650 m | |
Highest elevation | 110 m | |
Residents | uninhabited |
Portland Island is an island off the North Island of New Zealand . It extends in a north-south direction as a continuation almost 1400 meters south of Ahuriri Point , the southern tip of the Mahia Peninsula south into the sea. The island is used for keeping sheep.
The island was named by the Māori Kahungunu Waikawaw when he was looking for drinking water and only found salt water. Waikawa means "acidic water". There is an automatic lighthouse on the island.