Raoul Island Photos

In late June 1998 I travelled to Raoul Island in the Kermadec Islands
group 1000 kM north east of New Zealand and operated as ZL8RS in
my free time from work (unpaid) for the Department of Conservation.

The Kermadec Islands are a Nature Reserve and the surrounding waters
to 12kM from the coastline are a Marine Reserve. The Department of
Conservation administers the Kermadec Islands.

We landed on the Island at 'Fishing Rock' from the NZ Navy ship
"Resolution" and proceeded to unload supplies and get them to the
top of the 40 meter high cliff by flying fox.

Two kM to the west of fishing rock is the 'village'
including the Hostel where the staff live ...

... and the Meterological Station where I set up my work and Ham Radio operations.

The staff carry out weather observations for the NZ Meterological Service which
involve a daily balloon flight to carry a small radio-sonde up into the atmosphere.
This transmit temperature, humidity, barometric and wind information to the
equipment in the Met Station. The information is then relayed to the Meterological
Service in Wellington, New Zealand by Radio-Telephone.

Hydrogen gas is generated in this equipment from a
caustic soda solution acting on aluminium shavings.

The radio-sonde is attached to the full balloon ...

... and the balloon is released into the atmosphere.
Make sure its tied on securely Kris!!

The staff and a team of volunteers are also involved in a weed eradication
program to try and return the Raoul Island Nature Reserve back to its
natural state. The introduction of other plant species occurred during futile
attempts to settle this islolated island in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
Although the island is small (8kM x 3kM), the rugged terrain means some
days are spent in the field staying in huts like the ones at ...

Boat Cove

Denham Bay

Denham Bay features a long sandy beach and the wreck of a
Japanese fishing boat that 'beached' in 1983.

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