Kaumatua Michael Skerrett hopes to return to the Titi Islands for the mutton birding harvest later this week. Some people will return to the Titi Islands to continue this year's mutton bird harvest after Alert Level 3 begins this week, a Southland kaumatua says. A couple of boats would also go to the islands with freight for the mutton birders. He had opposed the decision, arguing the Titi Islands would be the safest place on the planet during a pandemic. Stewart Island Maori and their descendants have rights to gather mutton birds on 36 islands, known as the Titi Islands, between April 1 and May 31 each year.

Source: Stuff April 27, 2020 04:52 UTC