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Tiwai Point

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tiwai Point
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Tiwai Point lies at the entrance to Bluff Harbour on the southern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. A spit which extends from the western end of the Awarua Plain, it lies between Awarua Bay to the north and Foveaux Strait to the south. It is known for the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter, one of the largest industrial facilities in New Zealand.[1]

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Tiwai Point
Tiwai Point
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Awarua Plain (top), Tiwai Point (centre) and Bluff (lower left) viewed from the International Space Station in 2008
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Demographics

Tiwai Point is part of the Woodend-Greenhills statistical area.[2]

Tiwai Rocks Important Bird Area

The rocks at the tip of Tiwai Point have been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because they are home to a breeding colony of Foveaux shags.[3]

Foveaux looper moth

Tiwai Point is one of the two remaining locations where the critically endangered Foveaux looper moth lives.[4] A. frivola is at high risk of extinction, and has already disappeared from one of its three known localities.[5] Its main population exists on an area at Tiwai Point of less than 25 m2 of coastal vegetation.

Archaeological site

In 1968 archaeological excavations were carried out before construction of the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter.[6] Led by Stuart Park the excavation team came from the Otago Anthropological Society, the University of Otago Anthropology Department, the Southland Museum and Comalco.[6][7] The site revealed Māori pre-European middens and evidence of extensive adze and tool manufacturing.[6][8] Eleven tonnes of artefacts and material were retrieved from the 14th century site including adzes, hammer-stones and sinkers made from local argillite.[7]

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Causeway accident

In 1980, a vehicle with 10 people failed to take a turn on the Tiwai Point causeway, crashing through a barrier and falling into the water. Seven people died, including five who were never recovered.[9]

Climate

More information Climate data for Tiwai Point (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1970–present), Month ...
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References

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