| Hāwea / Bligh Sound | |
|---|---|
| Hāwea (Māori) | |
  Hāwea / Bligh SoundLocation in New ZealandShow map of Fiordland.png)  Hāwea / Bligh SoundHāwea / Bligh Sound (New Zealand)Show map of New Zealand | |
| Location | Tasman Sea |
| Coordinates | 44°49′S 167°31′E / 44.82°S 167.52°E / -44.82; 167.52 |
| River sources | Wild Natives River |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Max. length | 15 km (9.3 mi) |
| Max. width | 1 km (0.62 mi) |
Hāwea / Bligh Sound is a fiord of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located in Fiordland, 30 kilometres southwest of Milford Sound, and is 15 kilometres in length. The fiord forms a crooked "Z" shape. Wild Natives River flows into the innermost arm, Bounty Haven.
History and naming
The Māori name Hāwea is after the ancient iwi of Kāti Hāwea. The fiord was named Bligh Sound in 1809 by John Grono, after the ship Governor Bligh in honour of the Governor of New South Wales, William Bligh.
In October 2019, the name of the fiord was officially altered to Hāwea / Bligh Sound.
Marine reserve
Hawea (Clio Rocks) Marine Reserve covers 411 hectares in the central part of the fiord. The reserve includes large areas of sheltered shallow rock wall habitat and deep reef or rock wall habitat.
References
- "NZGB notices – October 2019". Land Information New Zealand. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- "Hawea (Clio Rocks) Marine Reserve". www.doc.govt.nz. 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
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