Mokopuna (the 'grandchild') Island is a small island in Wellington Harbour, New Zealand. It is about 200 metres (219 yd) on its long axis and about 80 metres (87 yd) across. It lies immediately north of the much larger Matiu/Somes Island, from which it is separated by a channel about 50 metres (55 yd) wide.

Mokopuna Island

Nickname: Leper Island
Mokopuna Island, from Matiu/Somes Island
Geography
Coordinates	41°15′S 174°52′E
Length	200 m (700 ft)
Width	80 m (260 ft)
Administration
New Zealand
Demographics
Population	0

A number of wave-cut arches and caves line the shore. Today, Mokopuna is a bird reserve where gulls and blue penguins nest and where no landings are allowed.

History

For about three months in 1904, one of these caves was the home of one Kim Lee, a Cantonese fruiterer who had been diagnosed—possibly mistakenly—as a leper. Even though Matiu/Somes was the human quarantine station at the time, Lee was exiled to Mokopuna, where he was supplied with food and water by a flying fox from Matiu/Somes.[1] Lee died on Mokopuna on 14 March 1904 and was buried on Matiu/Somes.

See also

• List of islands of New Zealand
• List of islands
• Desert island

References

Further reading

• McGill, D., The Pioneers of Port Nicholson, 1984, A. H. & A. W. Reed, Wellington, N. Z. ISBN 0-589-01531-1

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