Auckland Islands
A remote archipelago 465 kilometres south of New Zealand’s South Island, the Auckland Islands comprise eight major landforms rising from the Southern Ocean with no permanent human settlement.
At a glance
The Auckland Islands form a significant subantarctic landscape, dominated by the main Auckland Island (460 km²) and surrounded by seven smaller islands including Adams, Enderby, Disappointment, Ewing, Rose, Dundas and Green Islands. Combined, the archipelago spans 570 km². The islands remain uninhabited, preserving their ecological integrity in one of Earth’s most isolated regions.
History
The Māori names—Motu Maha, meaning “Many islands,” or Maungahuka, “Snowy mountains”—reflect indigenous knowledge of this remote territory. The islands are administered as an Area Outside Territorial Authority, distinctive among New Zealand’s outlying island possessions.
What you see
Visitors encounter dramatic subantarctic terrain shaped by wind, ocean spray and sparse vegetation. The landscape typifies the Antipodes Subantarctic Islands tundra ecoregion—rugged coastlines, rocky outcrops, and hardy plant communities adapted to extreme southern conditions.
Cultural significance
The Auckland Islands hold profound ecological importance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 1998, alongside other New Zealand Subantarctic Islands. The archipelago’s isolation and lack of permanent settlement make it invaluable for scientific study and as a refuge for endemic species in the Southern Ocean.
Key facts
- Country: New Zealand
- Location: 465 km south of the South Island
- Coordinates: 50.7°S, 166.1°E
- Total area: 570 km²
- Main island: Auckland Island (460 km²)
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: 1998
- Population: None (uninhabited)
Practical information & getting there
The Auckland Islands are accessible only by sea or helicopter, requiring special permits and arrangements. Tourism is strictly limited to preserve the fragile ecosystem. Contact New Zealand’s Department of Conservation for visitor information and permissions.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
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