Pitt Island is the second largest island in the Chatham Archipelago, New Zealand. It is called Rangiauria in Māori and Rangiaotea in Moriori. It is named after William Pitt, Earl of Chatham and later English prime minister.
The name "Pitts Island" appears to have been recorded first in 1807 by Capt M.Folger in the log of the American sealer Topaz.
Current population is about 35 people. There are 8 farms that run sheep and cattle.
Flower Pot is the most densely settled part of Pitt Island with a number of houses on the hills above the beach within sight of each other and the church "Our Lady of the Antipodes", cemetery and school nearby.
The name for the area is derived from a large rock formation on the shore that provided shelter for landing boats. Unfortunately, it no longer exists, it was accidentally destroyed.
The cache is hidden in the old concrete crayfish wells, near the slightly neglected memorial dedicated to Frederick and Mary Hunts - first European settlers on Pitt Island.
This land is owned by the Flowerpot Bay Lodge, and placed with the permission from owners - Brent&Bernie Mallinsons. The Lodge will most probably be the place you will be staying when visiting the island but feel free to go after the cache if you are using another option as well. Best access way to the cache: If you are standing just outside the Flowerpot Bay Lodge gate (as if you've just exited them, just follow the fence that goes downhill to your right, you will see the memorial stone further down. You need to step over one wire fence on which there is no gate.
Flowerpot Bay Lodge is the 3rd Flowerpot house on the site since Hunt’s time. Bernie’s family has farmed on Pitt Island for 5 generations and she is a direct descendant of Frederick Hunt who set-up house on the current Lodge site in 1843. To arrange your stay there, you can contact them on the phone +64 3 3050212 or email bnb@flowerpotlodge.co.nz
I visited Pitt Island as the grand finale of my and my friends' How Many Roads adventure. On 15th Sep 2014 we left our homes to go in the direction of Pitt Island, mostly by cycling. 20 months later, 15th May 2016 we were here! Pitt Island is the furthest inhabited land from Latvia - our home country, and we commemorated this fact by erecting a wooden sign (made of Latvian oak tree!) on the top of nearby Cannon Hill. Of course, I encourage you to go visit the sign as well - see the ref waypoint.
hmroads.com
facebook.com/HMRoads
As of May 2016 this is the most eastern cache of New Zealand (although it is located on the other side of the prime meridian, thus rendering W longitude.