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New Zealand outlying islands facts for kids

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Topographical map of the Antipodes Islands in English
Topographical map of Antipodes Islands

The New Zealand outlying islands comprise nine island groups, located in the subtropics and Subantarctic, which are part of New Zealand but lie outside of the New Zealand continental shelf. Although considered as integral parts of New Zealand, seven of the nine island groups are not part of any region or district, but are instead designated as Area Outside Territorial Authority. The two exceptions are the Chatham Islands, which form a special territorial authority (island council) themselves, and the Solander Islands, which are part of the Southland Region and Southland District.

The term is also used sometimes to further encompass the Balleny Islands, a group of subantarctic islands technically considered part of Ross Dependency and covered by the Antarctic Treaty.

The five island groups of the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands, including their territorial seas, are a World Heritage Site.

Island groups

The island groups from north to south:

Map showing the outlying islands of New Zealand
New Zealand outlying islands.png
Island Group (alternate name) Area
(km2)
Highest peak (m) Location of
main island
North of the North Island
Kermadec Islands (Rangitāhua) 33.60 Moumoukai Peak (516) 29°16′S 177°55′W / 29.267°S 177.917°W / -29.267; -177.917 (Kermadec Islands)
Three Kings Islands (Manawatāwhi, Ngā Motu Karaka) 6.85 (Great Island) (295) 34°09′S 172°08′E / 34.150°S 172.133°E / -34.150; 172.133 (Three Kings Islands)
East/south of the South Island
Chatham Islands (Rēkohu, Wharekauri) 966.00 (Chatham Island) (299) 43°54′S 176°32′W / 43.900°S 176.533°W / -43.900; -176.533 (Chatham Islands)
Solander Islands (Hautere) 1.20 (Solander Island) (330) 46°34′S 166°53′E / 46.567°S 166.883°E / -46.567; 166.883 (Solander Islands)
New Zealand Subantarctic Islands
Bounty Islands 1.35 (Funnel Island) (73) 47°46′S 179°02′E / 47.767°S 179.033°E / -47.767; 179.033 (Bounty Islands)
Snares Islands (Tini Heke) 3.50 (North East Island) (130) 48°01′S 166°32′E / 48.017°S 166.533°E / -48.017; 166.533 (The Snares)
Antipodes Islands 21.00 Mount Galloway (366) 49°41′S 178°48′E / 49.683°S 178.800°E / -49.683; 178.800
Auckland Islands (Motu Maha, Maungahuka) 625.64 Mount Dick (705) 50°42′S 166°05′E / 50.700°S 166.083°E / -50.700; 166.083 (Auckland Islands)
Campbell Islands (Motu Ihupuku) 113.31 Mount Honey (558) 52°32′S 169°09′E / 52.533°S 169.150°E / -52.533; 169.150 (Campbell Islands)
Outlying Islands 1772.4 Mount Dick (705)  

Population

The islands are all uninhabited except the Chatham Islands.

There is a staffed meteorological station on Raoul Island of the Kermadec Islands. The meteorological station on Campbell Island has been unstaffed and automated since 1995. There was a meteorological station on the Auckland Islands from 1942 to 1945. The Three Kings Islands and the Auckland Islands were formerly inhabited. There have been failed settlement attempts on Raoul Island, the Antipodes Islands and the Auckland Islands. The Solander Islands have never been inhabited except by shipwrecked sailors or marooned stowaways (for the longest period, from 1808 to 1813 by five European stowaways).

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