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Paterson Inlet / Whaka a Te Wera
Paterson Inlet as seen from Observation Rock in Oban. Iona Island is visible just off shore.
Location	Stewart Island, New Zealand
Coordinates	46°56′24″S 168°05′27″E / 46.94000°S 168.09083°E / -46.94000; 168.09083
Type	Ria
Etymology	Whaka a Te Wera after Te Wera, a local chief. Paterson Inlet has unclear origins.
River sources	Rakeahua River, Freshwater River, Tolson River
Basin countries	New Zealand
Max. length	16 kilometres (9.9 mi)
Max. width	6.3 kilometres (3.9 mi)
Surface area	100 square kilometres (39 sq mi)
Max. depth	45 metres (148 ft)
Islands	Around 20 islands, including Ulva Island, Native Island, and Bravo Island
Sections/sub-basins	Big Glory Bay, South West Arm, North Arm

Paterson Inlet (officially Paterson Inlet / Whaka a Te Wera) is a large natural harbour—specifically a ria—in the eastern coast of Stewart Island, New Zealand. Much of the land surrounding Paterson Inlet is unspoilt forest, and runoff into the harbour is especially clean.

History

This region was first inhabited by the Māori, who settled at a locale known as The Neck, which is a long peninsula that extends across the mouth of the inlet from the southern coast. The only town on Stewart Island, Oban is located on the north coast of the inlet, close to its mouth. In earlier times, the inlet was used as a base for whaling. Southern right whales were the main target in this area and over exploited. However, their sightings around the island are increasing recently.

Geography

Paterson Inlet has three main arms; North Arm and South West Arm lie at the upper reaches of the inlet, 15 kilometres from its mouth. Big Glory Bay, the third arm of the inlet, lies behind The Neck in the southeast of the inlet. The inlet drains the Rakeahua and Freshwater Rivers, the latter of which drains a large swampy valley that covers much of the northern part of the island.

Several islands lie in the inlet, notably Ulva Island and Native Island.

Fishing

In 2004, the majority of Paterson Inlet was made a mātaitai reserve, a type of marine reserve which prohibits commercial fishing while allowing customary rights to fish, as well as recreational fishing. The reserve, designated Te Whaka a Te Wera Mātaitai Reserve, does not cover the Ulva Island–Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve which was also created in 2004, but was designated a marine reserve to prohibit all fishing.

References

1. "Place name detail: Paterson Inlet/Whaka a Te Wera". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
2. ^ "Te Whaka Ā Te Wera Paterson Inlet Mātaitai Reserve fishing Bylaws and Recreational Fishing Rules". mpi.govt.nz. Fisheries New Zealand Tini a Tangaroa. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
3. "Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998 No 97 (As at 12 April 2022), Public Act Schedule 96 Alteration of place names – New Zealand Legislation".
4. Industries, Ministry for Primary (12 February 2024). "Managing customary fisheries | MPI - Ministry for Primary Industries. A New Zealand Government Department". www.mpi.govt.nz. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
5. "Fishing and aquaculture | MPI - Ministry for Primary Industries. A New Zealand Government Department". www.fish.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 9 November 2004.
6. "Ulva Island-Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
7. "Paterson Inlet Mātaitai Reserve Fishing Bylaws and Recreational Fishing Rules". Fisheries New Zealand.

External links

• Paterson Inlet Mātaitai Reserve Fishing Bylaws and Recreational Fishing Rules – Fisheries New Zealand brochure for fishing in the inlet

• Ports and harbours of New Zealand
• Landforms of Stewart Island