List of islands of New Zealand
New Zealand consists of many islands, estimated around six hundred,[1] mainly remnants of a larger land mass now beneath the sea. The following is a list of islands of New Zealand.
Each of the two larger main islands – where most of the population lives – has two official names, in English and in the Māori language. They are the North Island or Te Ika-a-Māui, and the South Island or Te Waipounamu.[2] Various Māori iwi sometimes use different names, with some preferring to call the South Island Te Waka o Aoraki.[3] The islands are separated by Cook Strait. The South Island is sometimes informally referred to as the "mainland",[4] especially by its residents, because it is somewhat larger, albeit with a smaller population. However, in general practice, the "mainland" refers to the North Island and South Island collectively, in contrast with the smaller offshore islands.
To the south of the South Island, Stewart Island / Rakiura is the largest of the smaller islands, although Waiheke Island in the urban Auckland Region has the largest population of the smaller islands.
Listed by size[]
The following table lists the largest islands of New Zealand by size. (The associated Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, and islands of the Antarctic Ross Dependency are excluded.) River delta islands such as (25.7 km2 (9.9 sq mi)),[5] , Rangitata Island, and Inch Clutha (approximately 15 km2 (5.8 sq mi), 30 km2 (12 sq mi), and 35 km2 (14 sq mi) respectively) are also omitted, as are temporary islands in braided river channels and tidal islands such as Rabbit Island, Nelson (17 km2 (6.6 sq mi)). The country's largest island within a lake, Pomona Island, has an area of just 2.6 km2 (1.0 sq mi).[6]
Rank | Name of island [Note 1] | Māori name [Note 2] | Area (km2)[citation needed] | Area (sq mi) | % of NZ area | Population |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | South Island or Te Waipounamu [Note 3] | Te Wahi Pounamu, Te Waka a Māui, Te Waka o Aoraki | 150,437 | 58,084 | 56.2% | 1,187,300 |
2 | North Island or Te Ika-a-Māui [Note 4] | Aotearoa | 113,729 | 43,911 | 42.3% | 3,896,200 |
3 | Stewart Island / Rakiura | Te Punga o Te Waka-a-Māui | 1,683 | 650 | 0.6% | 400 |
4 | Chatham Island | Rekohu (Moriori); Wharekauri (Māori) | 900 | 350 | 0.3% | 600 |
5 | Auckland Island | Mauka Huka | 510 | 200 | 0.2% | 0 |
6 | Great Barrier Island (Aotea Island) | 285 | 110 | 0.1% | 850 | |
7 | Resolution Island | Mauīkatau,[8] Tau Moana | 208.87 | 80.65 | 0.1% | 0 |
8 | Rangitoto ki te Tonga / D'Urville Island | 150 | 58 | <0.1% | About 52[9] | |
9 | Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku | 115 | 44 | <0.1% | 0 | |
10 | Adams Island | 100 | 39 | <0.1% | 0 | |
11 | Waiheke Island | 92 | 36 | <0.1% | 9,660 | |
12 | Secretary Island | Kā Tū-waewae-o-Tū | 81.4 | 31.4 | <0.1% | 0 |
13 | Arapaoa Island | 75 | 29 | <0.1% | 50 | |
14 | Pitt Island (Raingiauria) | Rangiaotea (Moriori) | 62 | 24 | <0.1% | 38 |
15 | Matakana Island | 60 | 23 | <0.1% | 225 | |
16 | Raoul Island | Rangitahua | 29.4 | 11.4 | <0.1% | 6 |
17 | Te Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island | Hauturu | 28 | 11 | ~0.0% | 0 |
18 | Rangitoto Island | 23.1 | 8.9 | ~0.0% | 0 | |
19 | Antipodes Island | 20 | 7.7 | ~0.0% | 0 | |
20 | Kapiti Island | 19.7 | 7.6 | ~0.0% | 0 | |
21 | Kawau Island | 19 | 7.3 | ~0.0% | 81 | |
22 | Long Island | Motu Roa | 18.99 | 7.33 | ~0.0% | 0 |
23 | Cooper Island | Ao-ata-te-pō | 17.79 | 6.87 | ~0.0% | 0 |
24 | Ponui Island (Chamberlins Island) | Te Pounui-o-Peretū | 17.7 | 6.8 | ~0.0% | 0 |
25 | Great Mercury Island (Ahuahu) | 17.2 | 6.6 | ~0.0% | 0 | |
26 | Ruapuke Island | 16 | 6.2 | ~0.0% | 0 | |
27 | Motutapu Island | 15.1 | 5.8 | ~0.0% | 0 | |
28 | Codfish Island / Whenua Hou | 14 | 5.4 | ~0.0% | 0 | |
29 | Mayor Island / Tuhua | 13 | 5.0 | ~0.0% | 0 | |
30 | Coal Island | Te Puka-Hereka | 11.6 | 4.5 | ~0.0% | 0 |
31 | Anchor Island | Pukenui | 11.37 | 4.39 | ~0.0% | 0 |
32 | Mōtītī Island | 10 | 3.9 | ~0.0% | 27 | |
33 | Taukihepa / Big South Cape Island | 9.4 | 3.6 | ~0.0% | 0 |
Listed by highest point[]
The following table lists the islands of New Zealand by their highest elevation. These islands are all in harbours or the open sea. The country's tallest island within a lake, Pomona Island, rises to 511 metres (1,677 ft) above sea level, which is about 333 metres (1,093 ft) above Lake Manapouri's normal lake level.
Rank | Name of island | Highest point | Name of peak | Type of peak |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | South Island or Te Waipounamu | 3,754 m (12,316 ft) | Aoraki/Mount Cook | Tectonic |
2 | North Island or Te Ika-a-Māui | 2,797 m (9,177 ft) | Mount Ruapehu | Volcanic |
3 | Secretary Island | 1,196 m (3,924 ft) | Mount Grono | Tectonic |
4 | Resolution Island | 1,069 m (3,507 ft) | Tectonic | |
5 | Stewart Island / Rakiura | 980 m (3,220 ft) | Mount Anglem / Hananui | Tectonic |
6 | D'Urville Island | 729 m (2,392 ft) | Tectonic | |
7 | Te Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island | 722 m (2,369 ft) | Volcanic | |
8 | Adams Island | 705 m (2,313 ft) | Mount Dick | Volcanic |
9 | Auckland Island | 659 m (2,162 ft) | Volcanic | |
10 | Great Barrier Island | 627 m (2,057 ft) | Mount Hobson | Tectonic |
11 | Long Island | 620 m (2,030 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
12 | Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku | 569 m (1,867 ft) | Mount Honey | Volcanic |
13 | Arapaoa Island | 559 m (1,834 ft) | Tectonic | |
14 | Cooper Island | 523 m (1,716 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
15 | Kapiti Island | 521 m (1,709 ft) | Tectonic | |
16 | Raoul Island | 516 m (1,693 ft) | Moumoukai Peak | Volcanic |
17= | Anchor Island | 417 m (1,368 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
17= | Taranga (Hen) Island | 417 m (1,368 ft) | The Pinnacles | Tectonic |
19 | Bauza Island | 383 m (1,257 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
20 | Maud Island/Te Hoiere | 368 m (1,207 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
21 | Antipodes Island | 366 m (1,201 ft) | Mount Galloway | Volcanic |
22 | Forsyth Island | 356 m (1,168 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
23 | Mayor Island / Tuhua | 355 m (1,165 ft) | Volcanic | |
24 | Moutohora Island | 353 m (1,158 ft) | Volcanic | |
25 | Breaksea Island | 350 m (1,150 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
26 | Solander Island/Hautere | 330 m (1,080 ft) | Unnamed | Volcanic |
27 | Whakaari / White Island | 321 m (1,053 ft) | Volcanic | |
28 | Chatham Island | 299 m (981 ft) | Unnamed | Volcanic |
29 | Blumine Island / Oruawairua | 298 m (978 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
30 | Manawatāwhi/Great Island | 295 m (968 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
31 | Mangere Island (Chatham Islands) | 292 m (958 ft) | Whakapa | Tectonic |
32 | Stephens Island/Takapourewa | 283 m (928 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
33 | Rangitoto Island | 260 m (850 ft) | Rangitoto | Volcanic |
34 | Coal Island | 251 m (823 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
35 | Codfish Island / Whenua Hou | 250 m (820 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
36 | Nukuwaiata Island | 247 m (810 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
37 | Pitt Island/Rangiauria | 241 m (791 ft) | Waihere | Tectonic |
38 | Macauley Island | 238 m (781 ft) | Mount Haszard | Volcanic |
39 | Taukihepa / Big South Cape Island | 235 m (771 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
40 | Whatupuke Island | 234 m (768 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
41= | Great Mercury Island (Ahuahu) | 231 m (758 ft) | Volcanic | |
41= | Waiheke Island | 231 m (758 ft) | Maunganui | Tectonic |
43 | Jacquemart Island | 229 m (751 ft) | Unnamed | Volcanic |
44 | Wakaterepapanui Island | 225 m (738 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
45 | South East Island/Rangatira | 224 m (735 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
46 | Rakitu Island | 220 m (720 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
47 | Aorangi Island | 216 m (709 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
48= | Cuvier Island | 214 m (702 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
48= | Little Mangere Island | 214 m (702 ft) | Whakapa | Tectonic |
50 | Moekawa/South West Island | 207 m (679 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
51 | Bollons Island | 202 m (663 ft) | Unnamed | Volcanic |
52 | Indian Island | 196 m (643 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
53 | Tawhiti Rahi Island | 191 m (627 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
54 | Tinui Island (Rangitoto Islands) | 190 m (620 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
55 | Matapara / Pickersgill Island | 186 m (610 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
56= | Great Island | 185 m (607 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
56= | Kaikoura Island | 185 m (607 ft) | Mitre Peak | Tectonic |
56= | Pearl Island | 185 m (607 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
59 | Coppermine Island | 184 m (604 ft) | Huarewa | Tectonic |
60 | Kawau Island | 182 m (597 ft) | Grey Heights | Tectonic |
61 | Te Kakaho Island | 179 m (587 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
62 | Motukawanui Island | 177 m (581 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
63 | Ōhau/West Island | 177 m (581 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
64 | Motutapere Island | 175 m (574 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
65 | Ponui Island | 173 m (568 ft) | Ponui | Tectonic |
66 | Motuoruhi Island | 169 m (554 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
67 | Lady Alice Island | 158 m (518 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
68 | The Castle/Rangiwheau | 156 m (512 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
69 | Long Island, Marlborough | 152 m (499 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
70 | Noble Island | 154 m (505 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
71 | Chalky Island | 151 m (495 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
72= | Red Mercury Island | 150 m (490 ft) | Unnamed | Volcanic |
72= | Puangiangi Island | 150 m (490 ft) | Unnamed | Tectonic |
In harbours and the open sea[]
- Adele Island
- Aiguilles Island
- Aldermen Islands
- Allports Island
- Amerikiwhati Island
- Anatakupu Island
- Anchor Island
- Anchorage Island
- Aorangaia Island
- Araara Island
- Arakaninihi Island
- Arapaoa Island
- Aroha Island
- Bare Island
- Bauza Island
- Big South Cape Island
- Blumine Island
- Breaksea Island
- The Brothers
- Browns Island
- , Whangarei Heads
- , Charles Sound
- Cavalli Islands
- Chalky Island
- Chetwode Islands
- Coal Island
- Codfish Island/Whenuahou
- Cooper Island
- Dog Island
- Cuvier Island
- D'Urville Island
- Dragon Island
- East Island / Whangaokeno
- , Charles Sound
- Elizabeth Island
- , Charles Sound
- Fisherman Island
- Forsyth Island
- , Whangarei Heads
- Gannet Island
- Goat Island, Auckland
- Goat Island, Otago Harbour
- Great Barrier Island/Aotea
- Great Island
- Green Island
- Hen and Chicken Islands
- Herald Island
- Indian Island
- Kaikoura Island
- Kapiti Island
- Kawau Island
- King Billy Island
- , Manukau Harbour
- Little Barrier Island (Hauturu)
- Long Island, Marlborough
- Long Island, Southland
- Mahurangi Island (Goat Island)
- Mākaro / Ward Island
- Mana Island
- Matakana Island
- Matiu / Somes Island
- Maud Island/Te Hoiere
- , Whangarei Heads
- Mayor Island/Tuhua
- Mercury Islands
- Mokohinau Islands
- Mokopuna Island
- Motiti Island
- Motuara Island
- Motuarohia Island
- , Tauranga Harbour
- Motuihe Island
- Motukawao Islands
- , Parua Bay
- Motu Matakohe / Limestone Island
- Motunau Island
- Motuora Island
- Motuoroi Island
- Moturata/Taieri Island
- Moturekareka Island
- Motutapu Island
- Moutohora Island/Whale Island
- Ngarango Otainui Island
- , Manukau Harbour
- North Island
- Open Bay Islands
- Pakatoa Island
- Pakihi Island
- , Manukau Harbour
- Pepin Island (a tied island connected to the mainland)
- Piercy Island
- Ponui Island
- Poor Knights Islands
- Portland Island
- Pourewa Island
- Puketutu Island
- Putauhinu Island
- Quail Island
- Quarantine Island / Kamau Taurua
- Rabbit Island
- Rakino Island
- Rakitu Island
- Rangitoto Island
- Rangitoto Islands, Marlborough Sounds
- Raratoka Island
- Resolution Island
- Ripapa Island
- Rotoroa Island
- Rurima Rocks, including Rurima Island
- Ruapuke Island
- Secretary Island
- , Manukau Harbour
- Shoe Island / Motuhoa
- Simmonds Islands
- Slipper Island
- South Island
- Stephens Island/Takapourewa
- Stephenson Island
- Stewart Island / Rakiura
- Sugar Loaf Islands
- Takangaroa Island
- Tarahiki Island
- Tata Islands
- , (The Ninepin), Bay of Islands
- Tiritiri Matangi Island
- Titi/Muttonbird Islands
- Tonga Island
- Ulva Island
- Urupukapuka Island
- Waiheke Island
- Watchman Island
- Whakaari/White Island
- Whanganui Island
- White Island (Otago)
- , Manukau Harbour
In rivers and lakes[]
- (in Lake Benmore)
- (in Lake Manapouri)
- (in Lake Te Anau)
- (in Lake Te Anau)
- (in the Rakaia River delta)
- Harwich Island (in Lake Wānaka)
- Hidden Island (in Lake Wakatipu)
- Inch Clutha (in the Clutha River delta)
- (in Lake Benmore)
- (in Waikato River)
- (in Waikato River delta)
- (in Waikato River delta)
- (in Waikato River)
- (in Lake Hauroko)
- Mokoia Island (in Lake Rotorua)
- (in Waikato River)
- (in Lake Tekapo)
- (in Waikato River delta)
- Motutaiko Island (in Lake Taupo)
- Moutoa Island (in the Whanganui River)
- (in Lake Wānaka)
- Mou Waho (in Lake Wānaka)
- Motutieke Island (in Waikato River delta)
- (in Waikato River)
- (in Waikato River delta)
- (in Waikato River)
- Pigeon Island/Wāwāhi Waka (in Lake Wakatipu)
- Pig Island/Mātau (in Lake Wakatipu)
- Pomona Island (in Lake Manapouri)
- (in Waikato River delta)
- (in the Rakaia River delta)
- Rangitata Island (in the Rangitata River delta)
- (in Lake Manapouri)
- (in Lake Wānaka)
- (in Lake Hāwea)
- Stevensons Island/Te Peka Karara (in Lake Wānaka)
- (in Waikato River)
- (in Waikato River delta)
- (in Waikato River)
- (in Waikato River)
- (in Waikato River delta)
- (in Lake Wakatipu)
- (in Waikato River delta)
Outlying[]
New Zealand administers the following islands outside the main archipelago. Only the Chatham Islands have a permanent population although others also did in the past. Others host visitors for science, conservation, meteorological observation and tourism.
- Chatham Islands
- Chatham Island
- Forty-Fours
- Little Mangere Island
- Mangere Island
- Pitt Island
- The Sisters
- South East Island
- Star Keys
- Kermadec Islands
- Cheeseman Island
- Curtis Island
- L'Esperance Rock
- Macauley Island
- Nugent Island
- Raoul Island
- Solander Islands
- Three Kings Islands
The New Zealand Subantarctic Islands are designated as a World Heritage Site.
- Antipodes Islands
- Antipodes Island
- Bollons Island
- Auckland Islands
- Adams Island
- Auckland Island
- Disappointment Island
- Enderby Island
- Ewing Island
- Rose Island
- Bounty Islands
- Campbell Island group
- Campbell Island
- Dent Island
- Folly Island (or Folly Islands)
- Jacquemart Island
- The Snares
- Broughton Island
- North East Island
- Western Chain
Realm of New Zealand[]
The following islands are part of the Realm of New Zealand, but are not part of New Zealand proper:
- Cook Islands
- Aitutaki
- Atiu
- Mangaia
- Manihiki
- Manuae
- Mauke
- Mitiaro
- Nassau
- Palmerston Island
- Penrhyn Island/Tongareva
- Pukapuka
- Rakahanga
- Rarotonga
- Suwarrow
- Takutea
- Niue
- Tokelau
- Atafu
- Nukunonu
- Fakaofo
Territorial claims[]
New Zealand also claims the Ross Dependency in Antarctica, including:
- the Balleny Islands
- Buckle Island
- Sabrina Island
- Sturge Island
- Young Island
- Scott Island
- Roosevelt Island
- Coulman Island
- the Ross Archipelago
- Ross Island
- Beaufort Island
- White Island
- Black Island
- the Dellbridge Islands
See also[]
- List of islands
- Geography of New Zealand
- Extreme points of New Zealand
Notes[]
- ^ Name of the island as recognised by the New Zealand Geographic Board.[7] In most cases this will be an official name, however some georaphic features in New Zealand do not have official names. In these instances, the name in this column is the recorded name as per the NZGB.
- ^ Māori names which form part of a dual name or are a recognised official name are ommited.
- ^ The South Island and Te Waipounamu are both recognised as distinct official names for the island. This is different to dual place names in which there is a single name consisting of both English and Māori origins.
- ^ The North Island and Te Ika-a-Māui are both recognised as distinct official names for the island. This is different to dual place names in which there is a single name consisting of both English and Māori origins.
References[]
- ^ McSaveney, Eileen (24 September 2007). "Nearshore islands". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
- ^ "Two official options for NZ island names". The New Zealand Herald. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ Mein Smith, Philippa (2005). A Concise History of New Zealand. Australia: Cambridge University Press. p. 6. ISBN 0-521-54228-6.
- ^ Meier, Cecile (10 September 2015). "South Island the true Mainland: Cecile Meier". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
- ^ Taylor, Marie. Once-a-day milking next Turner challenge Archived 25 May 2012 at archive.today, 1 May 2004.
- ^ Pomona Island Charitable Trust, Department of Conservation. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
- ^ "NZGB Gazetteer". Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
- ^ "Kā Huru Manu". Ngāi Tahu. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- ^ Gerard Hindmarsh (2006). Discovering D'Urville, Heritage New Zealand, Winter 2006.
- Islands of New Zealand
- Lists of islands by country
- Lists of landforms of New Zealand