Island ‘sex Change’ Complete (Press, 5 July 1988)
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Summary: Island ‘sex Change’ Complete (Press, 5 July 1988)
The Geographic Board of New Zealand has corrected a cartographic error that persisted for 139 years, relating to the naming of two groups of small islands off the southern coast of Stewart Island. In a straightforward adjustment, the islands previously designated as the Sisters to the east are now officially recognized as the Brothers, while those to the west, formerly known as the Brothers, will now be termed the Sisters. This mix-up can be traced back to 1849 when the crew of the Royal Navy's survey ship Acheron made a naming mistake. Despite the confusion, locals on Stewart Island were never in doubt about the actual names of these islands, as the correct terminology has been passed down since the islands were first charted, likely by whalers and sealers in the early 1800s. Allan Atkins, the assistant hydrographer at the Hydrographic Office in Takapuna, noted that the original chart from the Acheron referred to the newly designated Brothers islands as the Seal Islets. The mix-up was only officially rectified after a gazette notice was published by the Geographic Board last month. According to local fisherman Micky Squires from Halfmoon Bay, the local understanding has always been clear: "The Brothers (Sisters) are the Brothers and the Sisters (Brothers) are the Sisters." The confusion surrounding the names appeared to mostly affect outsiders, particularly Auckland yachtsmen unfamiliar with the local geography. They have been known to inquire about what to expect when navigating the waters around Stewart Island. However, the region does come with its own set of navigational challenges, including discrepancies in the naming of landmarks. For instance, charts display a feature named Black Rock off the south-eastern coastline and Black Rocks on the north-western shore. Additionally, Squires highlighted a geographical curiosity concerning the islands' main harbour, Halfmoon Bay, which is nearly in the shape of a horseshoe, contrasting with nearby Horseshoe Bay, which resembles a half-moon. This reflects the local flavour of Stewart Island's geography, steeped in a rich history that extends well beyond the newly amended charts.
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