The Sugarloaf Islands Marine Park
New Plymouth
New Zealand
Bevin Lealand Sugarloaf Marine park underwater diving and Oil and gas platform
Hi my name is Bevin Lealand. 
- I'm a keen diver from Taranaki ,so here is some
information on the Sugarloaf Islands Marine Park that I spend my spare time diving in with
my friends and family.
- ( when the weather permits ) Enjoy.......
 
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- Over the last 3 years I have spent a large amount of
time Building ROV's
- The ROV is a system of tubes equipped with three
propellers, two lights, and a video camera mounted to the frame. It is controlled from a
surface boat via cables. A VCR and monitor on the boat shows and records what the camera
sees underwater. SEE MY LINK BELOW
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The Marine Park
It was established as a park in 1986, the
protection of the marine park in 1991was supported by a traditional blessing with the
Tohunga (priest) placing a Rahui over the area. The area covers 8sq km of islands, seabed,
shore, water, rock groups and reefs. The park differs from others as it not a reserve and
still allows recreational activities such as fishing and diving.These islands were originally called Ngamotu meaning
'The Islands' and renamed 'The Sugar Loaves' by Captain Cook in 1770, because they
reminded him of the way sugar was stored in heaps or loaves in Europe.
HISTORY
All the islands except one called
Seagull Rock were inhabited by the tribes Taranaki and Te Atiawa, and in 1828 European
traders and whalers came and lived at Ngamotu and had a lookout on Moturoa Island. The
shape of this island was modified as the Harbor Board blasted rock for building the
breakwater.
VOLCANIC HISTORY
They are the eroded remnants of the earliest
volcanic activity in Taranaki 1.75 million years ago. The islands along with the amazing
underwater landscape are the result of upthrusts and volcanoes eroding away to leave the
mass of solidified lava that once plugged their vents. Therefore the islands are called
andesitic volcanic plugs, and the sea bed is made up of caves, caverns, rock faces, flats,
pinnacles, crevices, overhangs, boulder fields and sand flats.
WILDLIFE
They are an important environment for 11 species
of seabird including flesh-footed shearwaters, sooty shearwaters, fluttering shearwaters,
diving petrels, white-faced storm petrels, Grey faced petrels, white fronted terns, black
shags, blue penguins and reef herons.
They are the home to the northern most breeding colony of NZ Fur Seals in the breeding
season the resident colony numbers go up from 20 to 400. Common dolphin, Pilot whale,
Orcas, Hectors dolphin and Humpback whales are also seen.
The protective rock formations are home to many species of fish including Red Moki,
Butterfly Perch, Sweep, Kahawai and Kingfish; 65 species of sponge and other creatures
like the Jewel Anemone, Nudibranch (Sea slugs) and Crayfish.
PLANT LIFE
Cooks Scurvy Grass grows on the outer islands,
and is a threatened species; other vegetation includes Taupata scrub, flax, karo and
cabbage trees.
 LARGEST OUTER ISLANDS
Motumahanga, Saddleback is shaped like a camel's
back, a boulder bank surrounds it and there are underwater canyons
20-30 metres high decorated with anemones, sponges, hydroids, seaweed and slugs.
Moturoa is the largest island; its conical shape probably inspired the name 'Sugar
Loaves.' It has reefs
And a boulder bank where it was blasted. It has many caves and niches, the largest being
Dickies Cave, where the famous
whaler Richard 'Dickie' Barrett lived temporarily. Flocks of Starlings fly at dusk to nest
on this island.
 INNER ISLANDS ROCK GROUPS
Whareumu, Lion Rock is a small rock stack with a
vegetated cap; it looks like a Lion at rest. Big swell is usually present.
Tokomapuna, Barrett Reef is between Moturoa and Saddleback.
Waikaranga & Hapuka Rock, Seal Rocks are completely protected, the rugged underwater
landscapes include 4 narrow,
parallel canyons. Crayfish hide in crevices and up to 40 kg Kingfish feed on the schools
of Kahawai, there are more fish
here than anywhere in Taranaki.
Koruanga, Motukuku is a submerged reef and the site of a Urupa (burial site).
Corinna Rocks were discovered when the vessel 'Corinna' collided with them in 1909
ataora, Round Rock is connected to the beach and
access is possible at low tidePort Taranaki.
Looking to North west
My Rov Project Home Page
Well hope that is of some interest
to you .
Regards Bevin
Links to some interesting sites
Link to DAMAN
TREKKING AGENCY KATMANDU, NEPAL
The link to this site is highly recommended
as we experienced getting to know this wonderful mountain kingdom under the friendly and
expert guidance of Mukunda. Please take time to follow the link.This is awsome place to
travel to with incredibly friendly people. You'll be guaranteed to be awestruck by the
country.
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