The Chatham Islands are an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean about 800 km (430 nmi) east of New Zealand's South Island, administered as part of New Zealand, and consisting of about 10 islands within an approximate 60 km (30 nmi) radius, the largest of which are Chatham Island and Pitt Island (Rangiauria). They include New Zealand's easternmost point, the Forty-Fours. Some of the islands, formerly cleared for farming, are now preserved as nature reserves to conserve some of the unique flora and fauna.
The Moriori are the first settlers of the Chatham Islands. Moriori are Polynesians who came from the New Zealand mainland around 1500 CE, which was close to the time of the shift from the archaic to the classic period of Polynesian Māori culture on the mainland. Oral tradition records migration to the Chathams in the 16th century. The settlers' culture diverged from mainland Māori, and they developed a distinct Moriori language, mythology, artistic expression and way of life. Currently there are around 700 people who identify as Moriori, most of whom no longer live on the Chatham Islands. During the late 19th century some prominent anthropologists proposed that Moriori were pre-Māori settlers of mainland New Zealand, and possibly Melanesian in origin.
Echium vulgare, known as viper's bugloss and blueweed, is a species of flowering plant in the borage family Boraginaceae. It is native to most of Europe and western and central Asia and it occurs as an introduced species in north-eastern North America, south-western South America and the South and North Island of New Zealand. The plant root was used in ancient times as a treatment for snake or viper bites. If eaten, the plant is toxic to horses and cattle through the accumulation of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the liver.
Ornamental grasses are grasses grown as ornamental plants. Ornamental grasses are popular in many colder hardiness zones for their resilience to cold temperatures and aesthetic value throughout fall and winter seasons.
The unofficial flag of the Chatham Islands is a blue field with a map of the island in the centre, the Te Whanga Lagoon depicted in white. Behind this device map is a depiction of the rising sun, an allusion to its local name Rēkohu, meaning 'rising sun'.
Astelia chathamica, the Chatham Islands kakaha, Maori flax, or silver spear, is a species of flowering plant in the recently named family Asteliaceae. It is an evergreen silver-green perennial from the Chatham Islands of New Zealand, growing to about 1.2 m (4 ft) tall. Forming a large clump of sword-shaped leaves, it produces small green flowers and red berries. It grows best in partial shade and in fertile and well-drained soil with moderate water. The plant is hardy down to −3 °C (27 °F), but the foliage may be damaged by frost, so in colder areas the plant may require some winter protection.
Carex morrowii, the kan suge, Morrow's sedge, Japanese grass sedge or Japanese sedge, is a species of flowering plant in the family Cyperaceae. It is native to central and southern Japan, and has been introduced to Belgium, Denmark and Austria.
Carex divulsa, the grey sedge, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Carex, native to Macaronesia, Europe, northwest Africa, the Caucasus region, and the Middle East as far east as Turkmenistan. It has been introduced to northeast Argentina, the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania in the United States, Ontario in Canada, the North Island of New Zealand, and Tasmania and Victoria in Australia. It is the namesake of the Carex divulsa aggregate.
Carex lachenalii, called the twotipped sedge and hare's foot sedge, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Carex, native to temperate and subarctic North America, Greenland, Iceland, Europe, and Asia, and the South Island of New Zealand. Its diploid chromosome number is 2n=64, with some uncertainty.
Potentilla aurea, the golden cinquefoil, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. It is native to the mountains of mainland Europe, and has been introduced to Turkey. A number of cultivars are available, including 'Aurantiaca', 'Goldklumpen', and 'Plena'.
Carex testacea, the orange New Zealand sedge, is a species of flowering plant in the family Cyperaceae, native to New Zealand. Prized for its colourful foliage, which provides both summer and winter interest, it is widely available commercially.
Carex flagellifera, the weeping brown sedge or Glen Murray tussock sedge, is a species of flowering plant in the family Cyperaceae. It is native to Tasmania, New Zealand, and the Chatham Islands, and it has been introduced to the Kermadec Islands and Great Britain. There are a number of cultivars, including 'Auburn Cascade', 'Coca-Cola', 'Frosted Curls', 'Kiwi', 'Rapunzel', and 'Toffee Twist'.
Carex dipsacea, the teasel sedge, is a species of flowering plant in the family Cyperaceae, native to New Zealand. Preferring poorly drained soils, it is planted as an ornamental for its colorful autumn foliage. There is a cultivar, 'Dark Horse', which is commercially available.
Carex petriei, the dwarf brown sedge, is a species of flowering plant in the family Cyperaceae, native to New Zealand. It can be used where a brown to copper-coloured ground cover is desired.
Carex chathamica is a species of sedge in the family Cyperaceae, native to the Chatham Islands of New Zealand. Grey-backed storm petrels nest in its tufts.
Oenothera tetragona, the glaucous evening primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Onagraceae, native to eastern North America, and introduced to Germany, the Czech Republic, and Myanmar. The Royal Horticultural Society considers it a good plant to attract pollinators. There is a cultivar, 'Glaber', also known as 'Clarence Elliott'.
Carex leersii, the grassland sedge or many-leaved sedge, is a widespread species of flowering plant in the family Cyperaceae. It is native to the Atlas Mountains in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Altai and the western Himalayas, and has been introduced to New Zealand. It is a member of the Carex muricata group, and prefers to grow in sunny, relatively dry locations.
Scabiosa japonica is a species of flowering plant in the pincushion flower genus Scabiosa, native to central and southern Japan, and introduced to the Dominican Republic. A biennial or short-lived perennial reaching 10 to 50 cm, the Royal Horticultural Society considers it a good plant to attract pollinators. A number of cultivars are commercially available, including 'Blue Note', 'Blue Star', 'Blue Diamonds', 'Ritz Blue', and 'Ritz Rose'.
Campanula pulla, the solitary harebell, is a species of flowering plant in the family Campanulaceae, native to the northeastern Alps of Austria. A spreading, mat-forming perennial, the Royal Horticultural Society recommends it for scree gardens. It is available from commercial suppliers. There appear to be cultivars or selections; 'Blue Drops' and 'Alba', and a hybrid with Campanula carpatica; Campanula × pulloides, which itself has cultivars, 'Jelly Bells', and 'G.F. Wilson', which has gained the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
The 1954 Chatham Islands expedition was a research expedition organised by George Knox of the University of Canterbury to explore the distribution of benthic and pelagic marine fauna living between the Chatham Islands / Rēkohu and the eastern coast of New Zealand.
