Ulva Island NZ (New Zealand)

Ulva Island is a small isle located within Paterson Inlet (NZ) and part of Stewart Island (Rakiura) New Zealand. The island has a total area of approx 2,7 km2 (1 mi2) and is currently uninhabited.

The majority of Ulva Island is part of Rakiura National Park. The island was named after Ulva Island (Inner Hebrides, Scotland). Formerly, it was called Coopers Island. The relative isolation of Ulva Island NZ, though easily accessed from Stewart Island, allowed it to become a major natural resource area. Ulva is a sanctuary for both plants and birds, holding species that on mainland New Zealand have died out or are quite rare.

In 1997, Ulva Island was declared rat-free as a result of an eradication program. Extirpated birds were reintroduced to the island. These include Stewart Island robin, South Island saddleback (tieke) and yellowhead (mohua). Other birds on Ulva Island that are rare on the mainland include Stewart Island subspecies of a rifleman (Tītitipounamu), southern brown kiwi (tokoeka), yellow-crowned and red-fronted parakeet, South Island kaka or forest parrot, and several other species. The yellow-eyed penguin which is endangered uses the island for a breeding site. The Department of Conservation now maintains the public portion of Ulva Island including the predator-free status. A small portion of Ulva (approx 8 hectares/20 acres between Post Office Bay and Sydney Cove) is privately owned.

Ulva Island NZ cruise terminal