Mayor Island/Tuhua
From Open Encyclopedia
Image:NZ-Mayor I.png Mayor Island (or Tuhua) (37°17′S 176°15′E) is located off the Bay of Plenty coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is 35 kilometres north of Tauranga and covers 13 km2.
A dormant volcano, the island is steep, rising to 330 metres. It is believed to have risen from the sea about 7000 years ago. Hot springs abound, and there are two small crater lakes, Green Lake and Black Lake.
The island was named by Captain James Cook on November 3 1769. Several pa sites are known on the island, which was inhabited until 1901.
The area of the Bay of Plenty around the island is renowned for game fishing, with marlin, mako sharks, and swordfish all inhabiting the surrounding waters. The island and the waters close to its shores, however, is now a small marine reserve. There are several tramping tracks around the island, and it is also popular with divers.
