New Zealand Subantarctic Islands

The New Zealand Subantarctic Islands comprise the five southernmost groups of the New Zealand outlying islands. They are collectively designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[2]

New Zealand Subantarctic Islands
UNESCO World Heritage Site
LocationNew Zealand
Includes
CriteriaNatural: (ix), (x)
Reference877
Inscription1998 (22nd session)
Area764.8 km2 (295.3 sq mi)[1]
Coordinates50°45′S 166°6′E

Most of the islands lie near the southeast edge of the largely submerged continent centred on New Zealand called Zealandia, which was riven from Australia 60–85 million years ago, and from Antarctica 85–130 million years ago. They share some features with Australia's Macquarie Island to the west.

History

Until 1995, scientific research staff were stationed permanently at a meteorological station on Campbell Island. Since then, the islands have been uninhabited, though they are periodically visited by researchers and tourists. Protection of reserves was strengthened in 2014, becoming the largest natural sanctuary in the nation.[3]

Islands
Antipodes Islands
Antipodes Island, Bollons Island, the Windward Islands, Orde Lees Island, Leeward Island, South Islet
Auckland Islands
Auckland Island, Adams Island, Disappointment Island, Enderby Island, Ewing Island, Rose Island
Bounty Islands
Main Group, Centre Group, and Eastern Group islets
Campbell Islands
Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku, Dent Island, Folly Island, Jacquemart Island
Snares Islands / Tini Heke
Alert Stack, Broughton Island, High Island, North East Island, Western Chain islets

Territorial claims

New Zealand also has territorial claims, held in abeyance under the Antarctic Treaty System, over several islands close to the Antarctic mainland, including:

Of these, Ross Island is inhabited by the scientific staff of several research stations, notably at McMurdo Sound and Scott Base.

See also

References
  1. "Data Table – Protected Areas – LINZ Data Service". Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  2. "New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. World Heritage List. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  3. Fox, M. (2 March 2014). "Birds, seals, penguins protected". Stuff News. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
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