High Island Forest

High Island Forest is the name of a large forest and the corresponding region in the western part of High Island, just off the coast of Southland. It is the only region of High Island where no sheep are held, and this secured the survival of the forests.

The High Island Forest is not accesible by road and remains almost completely uninhabited. There are some farms in the northern part and on the tiny islet of Jackson Isle. Both areas maintain small ferry links to Waterford. The forest itself used to be inhabited by a Krai tribe that moved to the mainland in the early 20th century. Nowadays, the Haínuast Rock inscribed with Indian drawings is one of the few remnants of native inhabitance.