List of islands of New Zealand

New Zealand consists of more than six hundred islands, mainly remnants of a larger land mass now beneath the sea.^[1] New Zealand is the sixth-largest island country, and the third-largest located entirely in the Southern Hemisphere. The following is a list of islands of New Zealand.

The two largest islands – where most of the population lives – have names in both 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 other names, with some preferring to call the South Island Te Waka o Aoraki.^[3] The two islands are separated by the Cook Strait. In general practice, the term mainland refers to the North Island and South Island.^[4]^[5] However, the South Island alone is sometimes called "the mainland" – especially by its residents, as a nickname – because it is the larger of the two main islands.^[6]^{[Note 1]}

To the south of the South Island, Stewart Island / Rakiura is the largest of the smaller islands, and 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 proper by area.^{[Note 2]} River delta islands such as Rakaia Island (25.7 km² (9.9 sq mi)),^[8] Fereday Island, Rangitata Island, and Inch Clutha (approximately 15 km² (5.8 sq mi), 30 square kilometres (12 square miles), and 35 km² (14 sq mi) respectively) are 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).^[9]

Rank	Name of island ^{[Note 3]}	Indigenous name ^{[Note 4]}	Area (km²)^{[citation needed]}	Area (sq mi)	% of NZ area	Population
1	South Island or Te Waipounamu ^{[Note 5]}	Te Wahi Pounamu, Te Waka a Māui, Te Waka o Aoraki	150,437	58,084	56.2%	1,260,000
2	North Island or Te Ika-a-Māui ^{[Note 6]}	Aotearoa	113,729	43,911	42.3%	4,077,800
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,^[11] Tau Moana	209	81	0.1%	0
8	Rangitoto ki te Tonga / D'Urville Island		150	58	<0.1%	About 52^[12]
9	Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku		113	44	<0.1%	0
10	Adams Island		100	39	<0.1%	0
11	Waiheke Island		92	36	<0.1%	9,140
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 (Rangiauria)	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%	0
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 / Tūhua		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)	Mount Clerke	Tectonic
5	Stewart Island / Rakiura	980 m (3,220 ft)	Mount Anglem / Hananui	Tectonic
6	Rangitoto ki te Tonga / D'Urville Island	729 m (2,392 ft)	Takapōtaka / Attempt Hill	Tectonic
7	Te Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island	722 m (2,369 ft)	Mount Hauturu	Volcanic
8	Adams Island	705 m (2,313 ft)	Mount Dick	Volcanic
9	Auckland Island	659 m (2,162 ft)	Cavern Peak	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)	Narawhia	Tectonic
14	Cooper Island	523 m (1,716 ft)	Unnamed	Tectonic
15	Kapiti Island	521 m (1,709 ft)	Tuteremoana	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 / Tūhua	355 m (1,165 ft)	Opuahau	Volcanic
24	Moutohora Island	353 m (1,158 ft)	Motu Hara	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)	Mount Gisborne	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)	Mount Mohi	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=	Kaikōura 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)	Maungapouri	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

In rivers and lakes

Arran Island (in Lake Te Anau)
Belle Vue Island (in Lake Manapouri)
Birch Island (in the Clutha River)
Bird Island (in the Pōrangahau River)
Black Jacks Island (in Lake Benmore)
Buncrana Island (in Lake Manapouri)
Bute Island (in Lake Te Anau)
Channel Islands (in Lake Manapouri)
Cumbrae Island (in Lake Te Anau)
Dome Islands (in Lake Te Anau)
Doubtful Island (in Lake Te Anau)
Centre Island
Entrance Island (in Lake Te Anau)
Erin Island (in Lake Te Anau)
Fereday Island (in the Rakaia River delta)
Harwich Island (in Lake Wānaka)
Hidden Island (in Lake Wakatipu)
Holmwood Island, (in Lake Manapouri)
Inch Clutha (in the Clutha / Mata-Au delta)
Junction Island (in Lake Benmore)
Karihoa Island (in Waikato River)
Kaiwaka No.1 Island (in Waikato River delta)
Kaiwaka No.2 Island (in Waikato River delta)
Lee Island (in Lake Te Anau)
Mahara Island (in Lake Manapouri)
Manutahi Island (in Waikato River)
Mary Island (in Lake Hauroko)
Mokoia Island (in Lake Rotorua)
Motakorea Island (in Waikato River)
Motuariki Island (in Lake Tekapo)
Motukakako Island (in Waikato River delta)
Motutaiko Island (in Lake Taupō)
Moutoa Island (in the Whanganui River)
Mou Tapu (in Lake Wānaka)
Mou Waho (in Lake Wānaka)
Motutieke Island (in Waikato River delta)
Namuheiriro Island (in Waikato River)
Ngāhinapōuri Island (in Waikato River delta)
Opuawhanga Island (in Waikato River)
Pigeon Island/Wāwāhi Waka (in Lake Wakatipu)
Pig Island/Mātau (in Lake Wakatipu)
Pomona Island (in Lake Manapouri)
Puehunui Island (in Waikato River delta)
Rabbit Island (Canterbury) (in Rakaia River)
Rakaia Island (in the Rakaia River delta)
Rangitata Island (in the Rangitata River delta)
Rona Island (in Lake Manapouri)
Ruby Island (in Lake Wānaka)
Silver Island (in Lake Hāwea)
Stevensons Island/Te Peka Karara (in Lake Wānaka)
Tarahanga Island (in Waikato River)
Tawanui Island (in Waikato River delta)
Te Kopura Island (in Waikato River)
Te Toki Island (in Waikato River)
Te Weranga Okapu Island (in Waikato River delta)
Tree Island (in Lake Wakatipu)
Whatamakiri Island (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
Kermadec Islands
Solander Islands
- Solander Island
- Little Solander Island
- Pierced Rock
Manawatāwhi / Three Kings Islands

The New Zealand Subantarctic Islands are designated as a World Heritage Site.

Antipodes Islands
- Antipodes Island
- Bollons Island
Auckland Islands
Bounty Islands
Campbell Island group
- Campbell Island
- Dent Island
- Folly Island (or Folly Islands)
- Jacquemart Island
The Snares

Realm of New Zealand

The following islands are part of the Realm of New Zealand, but not of the country itself:

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:

Notes

^ One cultural guide advises against using the term due to sensitivity.^[7]
^ The associated Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, and islands of the Antarctic Ross Dependency are excluded from this list.
^ Name of the island as recognised by the New Zealand Geographic Board.^[10] In most cases this will be an official name, however some geographic 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.
^ Other island names used by Māori or Moriori. Names that form part of a dual name or are an official name are omitted.
^ South Island and Te Waipounamu are both recognised as distinct official names. This is different to dual place names in which there is a single name consisting of both English and Māori origins.
^ North Island and Te Ika-a-Māui are both recognised as distinct official names. 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.
^ The Handbook of New Zealand Mammals. Csiro Publishing. 2021. p. 200. ISBN 978-1-4863-0629-9.
^ Renfrew, Colin; Bahn, Paul (9 June 2014). The Cambridge World Prehistory. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-64775-6. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
^ Meier, Cecile (10 September 2015). "South Island the true Mainland: Cecile Meier". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
^ Bakić-Mirić, Nataša (15 November 2011). An Integrated Approach to Intercultural Communication. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4438-3553-4. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
^ 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.

[8] One cultural guide advises against using the term due to sensitivity.^[7]

[9] The associated Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, and islands of the Antarctic Ross Dependency are excluded from this list.

[13] Name of the island as recognised by the New Zealand Geographic Board.^[10] In most cases this will be an official name, however some geographic 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.

[14] Other island names used by Māori or Moriori. Names that form part of a dual name or are an official name are omitted.

[15] South Island and Te Waipounamu are both recognised as distinct official names. This is different to dual place names in which there is a single name consisting of both English and Māori origins.

[16] North Island and Te Ika-a-Māui are both recognised as distinct official names. This is different to dual place names in which there is a single name consisting of both English and Māori origins.

[1] McSaveney, Eileen (24 September 2007). "Nearshore islands". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.

[2] "Two official options for NZ island names". The New Zealand Herald. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2018.

[3] Mein Smith, Philippa (2005). A Concise History of New Zealand. Australia: Cambridge University Press. p. 6. ISBN 0-521-54228-6.

[4] The Handbook of New Zealand Mammals. Csiro Publishing. 2021. p. 200. ISBN 978-1-4863-0629-9.

[5] Renfrew, Colin; Bahn, Paul (9 June 2014). The Cambridge World Prehistory. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-64775-6. Retrieved 24 May 2022.

[6] Meier, Cecile (10 September 2015). "South Island the true Mainland: Cecile Meier". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 16 December 2018.

[7] Bakić-Mirić, Nataša (15 November 2011). An Integrated Approach to Intercultural Communication. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4438-3553-4. Retrieved 24 May 2022.

[10] Taylor, Marie. Once-a-day milking next Turner challenge Archived 25 May 2012 at archive.today, 1 May 2004.

[11] Pomona Island Charitable Trust, Department of Conservation. Retrieved 22 November 2010.

[12] "NZGB Gazetteer". Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 20 August 2021.

[17] "Kā Huru Manu". Ngāi Tahu. Retrieved 21 August 2021.

[heritage-18] Gerard Hindmarsh (2006). Discovering D'Urville, Heritage New Zealand, Winter 2006.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[Note 1]

[Note 2]

[8]

[9]

[Note 3]

[Note 4]

[Note 5]

[Note 6]

[11]

[12]

[7]

[10]

v t e List of islands of Oceania
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