Pepin Island, Nelson Region, New Zealand 

Pepin Island, Nelson Region, New Zealand

Pepin Island is a privately owned island in New Zealand connected by a causeway to the settlement of Cable Bay north-east of Nelson. Pepin Island is 3.5 kilometres long, and up to 2.1 kilometres wide. It measures about 6 square kilometres in area.

Pepin Island (Maheipuku) lies northeast of Nelson, a short drive from the city to the end of Cable Bay Road. The island is connected to the mainland by the Cable Bay Boulder Bank. Technically, Pepin Island is a Tombolo, an island joined to the mainland by debris.

In 1996, Pepin Island was sold to German industrialist Dr Viola Hallman. Dr Hallman had a great affection for New Zealand and she encouraged farm managers Andrew & Nicky Newton to plant native trees, remove pinus radiata and introduce a pest trapping programme. For this work, Pepin Island was awarded a Nelson-Tasman Environmental Award. Dr Hallman took great pride in the island and when she passed away several years ago, her daughter inherited the property.

Epic New Zealand Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound