The Chatham Islands lie about 800 km (500 mile) east of central New Zealand and 44 degrees south, just below the latitude of Christchurch, as shown by the red dot on the map at right. The original human inhabitants of the Chathams were the Moriori, an early South Island race of the New Zealand Maori. (For background on Moriori history click for text and pictures.) At present there are about 650 inhabitants of Polynesian and European descent. Most people farm, fish, or work in the small tourist business, which is active mostly in summer. Weather on the Chathams is rigorous; the Moriori name for the main island, Rekohu, means "misty land." Click for current weather.
  I spent January 25 until February 1 on the main island, Chatham, flying there from Auckland and using a rented bike to pedal around many parts of the main island on the gravel roads. I stayed in a lodge at Waitangi in the south west, the largest settlement.

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