Things to Do in Chatham Islands

• Tree carvings
  Rakau momori, or tree carvings, are one of the few remaining signs of ancient Moriori culture. Carvings are located in the kopi forest of Hapupu Historic Reserve, Chatham Island.
• Tommy Solomon
  Famous as the last full-blooded Moriori, Tommy Solomon died in 1933. His statue was erected at Owenga in 1986.
• Museum
  There is a small museum at Waitangi that will show you more about the interesting history and settlement of the islands.
• Te Whanga Lagoon
  Te Whanga Lagoon covers around one fifth of Chatham Island. Moriori carvings feature on the surrounding rocks, while the waves of the lagoon push up another phenomenon - 40-million-year-old fossilised shark teeth.
• Scubadiving, snorkelling and fishing
  There are a number of shipwrecks around Chatham and Pitt islands for divers to explore. while paua snorkelling and crayfishing are available for those wishing to stay close to shore. Fish is a staple of the Chatham Island diet; you will enjoy a wide range of seafood including lobster, kina, paua, scallops, cod, flounder, kingfish, groper and eel.
• Hiking
  Department of Conservation walking tracks are available through the nature reserves of Chatham Island.
• Flora and fauna
  The wildlife of the Chathams is one of the main attractions and the birdwatching opportunities are fantastic. There are ocean and coastal dwelling birds and 18 species that are unique to the islands, including the very rare Chatham Island black robin. There is also some rare plant life and of the 320 indigenous flora on the islands, 29 species cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
• Maori and Colonial Museum
  In Okains Bay is the Maori and Colonial Museum, which displays objects from the surrounding area and the Chatham Islands. Items of particular interest are the carved Maori meeting house and the old pioneers' houses.