2011 Kermadec Trip with Heritage Expeditions

7 APRIL 2011 - 17th April 2011

This will be my third time to the Kermadecs and believe me when I say it that this place is VERY special. Located 1085km North of New Zealand this isolated group of islands play host to some of the most amazing aquatic life around.

This is a Heritage Expeditions trip on their 70m Russian vessel - the Spirit of Enderby. We will be steaming to the kermadecs return from Tauranga over a 10 day period. Spending 4 days diving round Raul Island. There will also hopefully be opportunity to dive some of the outerlying islands, Macauley and Cheesman, LEsperence Rocks too. Absolutely virginal country. Here is a link to the Heritage site where you will get more information about the ship You will also see how well you eat. There are 2 chefs onboard and the meals are superb!!!

 

 

This trip is going to be a fantastic expedition. Now Heritage Expeditions have three tenders DEDICATED for dive and we will be planning as much diving as we can over the course of the trip ( obviously weather pending). If you have a hunger for adventure and the need to explore places that are rarely dived then the Kermadecs are the place for you.

Prices start at $1798.00us per person for triple share

$2117.00us per person Main deck twin share

PLEASE call me on 027 2782250 so I can talk to you about the trip in more detail. If you want to know logistical details, costs etc etc then click the link above. These islands will blow your mind.

 

Lonely outposts in the southwest pacific this isolated group of islands are the summits of huge undersea volcanoes situated along the western edge of the Kermadec trench, protruding above the ocean.

The Islands have an unique assemblage of subtropical and temperate species, testimony to the process of evolution arriving from climate and isolation. Both the plant and bird communities have been heavily modified by people who attempted to make a living from these islands, but a conservation program is restoring the island, the goats and rats have been removed and many introduced plants controlled.

 

 

The marine ecosystem which is protected by an extensive Marine Reserve is unique in the world and offers amazing dive opportunities. Because of its location far from the main shipping routes it is one of the more difficult places in the world to get to. Our annual expedition provides an opportunity to explore the island and dive in the marine reserve.

Marine Ecology:

one of the many Tropical fish species (loinfish) in the temperate waters of the Kermadecs

The marine areas surrounding the Kermadecs are the only true example of sub-tropical waters in New Zealand, and are sufficiently far away from the mainland to have escaped heavy commercial fishing. Because of the great depth of water surrounding the islands, the area around the Kermadecs shallower than 200m extends (on average) only approximately 2km from the shore line.

The marine biota has strong tropical elements, and provides a link between the Indo-Pacific province and the New Zealand region. It is so different from the rest of New Zealand as to require separate status at a major bio geographic level.

A total of 145 fish species have been recorded from around the Kermadecs. Six marine species are endemic (4.6%), and a further six are endemic to the Norfolk-Kermadec region. Fifty-four percent of the Kermadec Islands species occur around the mainland or other offshore islands of New Zealand, but only 29% are common there. The Kermadecs fauna has a greater affinity with that of Lord Howe Island (66%). Furthermore, the species which occur in both the Kermadecs and around mainland New Zealand are not generally abundant in both, only 8 (27%). Therefore, the fauna of the Kermadecs differs markedly from that of other parts of New Zealand in both species composition and in those species which are abundant

Black spotted grouper

Marine algae number 165 species, with red algae making up over half of the total species listed. The seaweeds found around the Kermadecs are characteristically of small size, with most plants 15cm in height. Several algal genera show warm water affinities.

The marine communities are important for their special populations (including the endemic giant limpet (Patella kermadecensis), and the spotted black groper (Epinephalus daemelii), interesting absences (many of the tropical herbivorous fish, most of the larger brown algae), populations of species at their geographic limits (corals and crown of thorn starfish). Marine reptiles which only straggle to the mainland, such as seasnakes and green turtles, are present around the islands.

 

The Kermadecs contain one of the few shallow marine areas between mainland New Zealand and the coral reefs of the tropics. Together with the communities on Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, which are at similar latitudes, the marine ecosystems are possible unique.

Historical Features:

 

Although occupation had ceased when the first Europeans visited the islands in the late 18th Century, archaeological records show that Raoul Island was settled by Polynesian seafarers, probably during the phase of expansion into the south-west Pacific about one thousand years ago. The islands may have also acted as a stopping off point on journeys between the islands to the north and New Zealand. The traditional Maori name of Rangitahua has been ascribed to Raoul Island. This may represent a European interpretation made specifically to account for an early collection of Polynesian adzes found on the island.

The absence of ethnographic records means that our understanding of the prehistory of the Kermadecs is now dependent entirely on the remaining archaeological evidence. Research and artefacts found on Raoul to date indicate that the island was occupied about the mid-14th Century, probably from the Society Islands, although Anderson (1980) has suggested two periods of occupation dating from around the 10th and the 14th Centuries. There is preliminary evidence on Raoul of material sourced from New Zealand.

There is some evidence that Polynesian occupation of Raoul may have ended as a result of volcanic eruption. Elsewhere in the Kermadecs, the presence of kiore (Rattus exulans) and charcoal (dating from the 15th Century: Johnson, pers comm.) point to Polynesian contact with Macauley Island. However, the lack of water on the island would probably have precluded long term settlement.

Polynesian settlement areas on Raoul are known to have included Low Flat and the eastern end of the Terraces, and probably Denham Bay. The inhabitants subsisted on marine mammals, muttonbirds, fishing and gardening. Crops possibly introduced by these early settlers include taro (Colocasia esculenta) and kumara (Ipomea batatas). Other Polynesian introductions included kiore, and probably candle nut tree (Aleurites molucanna) and ti (Cordyline terminalis).

The Kermadecs have had a varied history of European contact since their “rediscovery” by a British convict ship in 1788. During the first half of the 19th Century Raoul was used as a base and provisioning point for ships working the rich whaling grounds of the area. Goats were introduced to Raoul and Macauley Island prior to 1836 to provide food for these activities. Pigs were also introduced to both islands but did not thrive.

Macauley Island appears to have been burnt off during the early 19th Century, possibly in conjunction with these introductions.

From 1837 onwards there were a number of attempts to settle Raoul Island and to establish farms and crops. Although these enterprises met with little success, sheep and cattle and a number of exotic crops and adventive plants were introduced, and areas were cleared for pasture and gardens. Volcanic activity resulted in at least one evacuation from the island, in 1870.

Cats arrived on Raoul Island during the 19th Century and Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) appear to have been introduced to Raoul from the wreck of the “Columbia River” in 1921, but may have been introduced. In 1908 the first assessment of the natural history of the Kermadecs was made by W.R.B. Oliver. His recommendations included reserve protection for the island he “foretold the damage rats and goats would have on indigenous fauna and flora”.

The Kermadecs were annexed by New Zealand in 1887, and the last settlers left Raoul in 1937 when a Government party arrived to establish the radio and meteorological station on the island.

 

 

Diving operations. Boats will be loaded with kit and lowered into the water by crane.

you will get into your wettie and walk down the ramp and meet the zodiac. EASY!!!!!!! Look at the colour of the water!!!!!

Contact PETE MESLEY on NZ # 027 2782250 or email petemes@ihug.co.nz