Sutherland Sound Explained

Te Hāpua / Sutherland Sound
Other Name:Sutherland Sound
Pushpin Map:New Zealand Fiordland#New Zealand
Pushpin Map Alt:Location in New Zealand
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in New Zealand
Location:Tasman Sea
Coords:-44.73°N 167.57°W
Countries:New Zealand

Sutherland Sound (officially Te Hāpua / Sutherland Sound) is a fiord of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the smallest of the fiords that make up the coast of Fiordland, and the only one with limited sea access (owing to a large sandbar at the entrance to its narrower section). It is the second most northerly of the fiords, 220NaN0 southwest of Milford Sound / Piopiotahi and 8km (05miles) northeast of Hāwea / Bligh Sound. The fiord is 10km (10miles) in length and the Light River and the Dark River flow into the eastern end. The fiord is composed of two main sections - a large bay opening into the sea, and a more traditional fiord as the inner section. These are separated by a narrow channel less than wide at its narrowest point.

History and naming

The fiord was named Sutherland Sound after explorer Donald Sutherland who visited the fiord in 1883. In October 2019, the name of the fiord was officially changed to Te Hāpua / Sutherland Sound.[1] [2]

Notes and References

  1. News: More than 20 places receive dual English and Māori names from Land Information New Zealand. Radio New Zealand. 26 December 2019.
  2. Web site: NZGB notices – October 2019 . 17 October 2019 . Land Information New Zealand . 15 December 2019.