Zealand

Lore & Background

These islands were uninhabited at the time of European discovery, nonetheless, there is evidence of Māori and/or Polynesian visits to some of the island groups, and some were still known to Māori at the time of European contact. On the Antipodes Islands (Moutere Mahue), claims of a pottery shard found here in 1886 are contested. On the Auckland Islands (Motu Maha/Maungahuka), traces of Polynesian settlement, possibly dating to the 13th century, have been found by archaeologists on Enderby Island. This is the most southerly settlement by Polynesians yet known. The Snares Islands (Tini Heke) were already known to the Māori, who called one of the larger islands Te Taniwha ("The sea-monster"). They are visible from near Stewart Island in good conditions. European exploration took place in the 19th century, often involving exploiting the natural resources of the area for sealing and whaling etc. Some shipwrecks took place in the region, with crews being forced to live off the land. Hardwicke on Auckland Island represents one of the few serious attempts by Europeans to set up a settlement in the islands, subsequently abandoned. 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.

Reader's Guide

The New Zealand Subantarctic Islands consist of five groups: 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 (Moutere Hauriri) (Main Group, Centre Group, and Eastern Group islets); Campbell Islands (Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku, Dent Island, Folly Island, Jacquemart Island); and Snares Islands / Tini Heke (Alert Stack, Broughton Island, High Island, North East Island, Western Chain islets). New Zealand also has territorial claims, held in abeyance under the Antarctic Treaty System, over several islands close to the Antarctic mainland, including: Ross Island and the rest of the Ross Archipelago; Balleny Islands: Young Island, Buckle Island, Sturge Island, plus several smaller islets; Roosevelt Island; Scott Island and Haggits Pillar. Of these, Ross Island is inhabited by the scientific staff of several research stations, notably at McMurdo Sound and Scott Base. Ecologically, the Antipodes, Auckland, Bounty and Campbell Islands are collectively designated the Antipodean Islands in the World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions. The Snares Islands / Tini Heke are included with the South Island in New Zealand South under the scheme.

Did You Know?

• The Auckland Islands contain the most southerly settlement by Polynesians yet known, with traces dating possibly to the 13th century on Enderby Island.
• The Snares Islands were already known to Māori, who called one of the larger islands Te Taniwha ('The sea-monster').
• Until 1995, scientific research staff were stationed permanently at a meteorological station on Campbell Island.
• Protection of reserves was strengthened in 2014, becoming the largest natural sanctuary in New Zealand.
• The Antipodes, Auckland, Bounty and Campbell Islands are collectively designated the Antipodean Islands in the World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions.