Toetoes Bay, a broad sweep of coastline extending westwards from Waipapa Point along the south coast of Southland District, towards Tiwai Point at the entrance to Bluff Harbour. The bay receives the waters of the Mataura River and the Titiroa Stream which emerge from an estuary formerly known as Toetoes Harbour. On the west side of the bay a narrow spit separates the Waituna Lagoon from the waters of the Foveaux Strait. A whaling station was established in the estuary at Fortrose in 1834 by the expert whaler and boatman Tommy Chasland. Off shore 22km to the south, lies Ruapuke Island, and Green Island to the east. The estuary was dubbed “Toetoes Place” by whalers in the 19th century, after a local chief Toitoi. The name in the form of Toetoe, was later given to the bay.
The INO 1886 * (Picture)
