Extreme points of New Zealand

This article discusses the extreme points of New Zealand: the points that lie farther north, south, east or west than any other equivalent location in the country.

The northernmost point is often thought to be Cape Reinga, but this is instead the northwesternmost point. Similarly, Bluff is often considered to be the southernmost point of the South Island, although The Bluff itself (the promontory which gives the town its name) is actually fractionally further north than Slope Point. The phrase "From Cape Reinga to The Bluff" is, however, frequently used within New Zealand to refer to the whole country, ignoring both Slope Point and some offshore islands.

Extreme points

New Zealand overall

Nugent Island on the left (in the trees) - North

• Northernmost point — Nugent Island, in the Kermadec Islands
• Southernmost point — Jacquemart Island (off the south coast of Campbell Island) in the Campbell Island group
• Westernmost point — Cape Lovitt, Auckland Islands
• Easternmost point — Forty-Fours/Motuhara, East of the Chatham Islands
• The New Zealand’s furthest inland point — S4500.340', E16922.245' 119.44 kilometres (74.22 mi) from the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean.

Distance from North to South (Nugent Island to Jacquemart Island) is 2,813 kilometres (1,748 mi).

Distance around the four points is 6,176 kilometres (3,838 mi).

Jacquemart Island in the distance - South

Cape Lovitt - West

Forty-Fours/Motuhara - East

(Note: this excludes New Zealand's claims over lands in the Ross Dependency, and over the Tokelau Islands)

The North Island

• Northernmost point — Surville Cliffs, North Cape
• Southernmost point — Cape Palliser
• Westernmost point — Cape Maria van Diemen
• Easternmost point — East Cape

The South Island

• Northernmost point — Cape Farewell
• Southernmost point — Slope Point
• Westernmost point — West Cape
• Easternmost point — West head

Centres of population

Northernmost settlements

The tiny settlement of Kapowairua, at the eastern end of Spirits Bay, although there is a permanently manned station on Raoul Island much further north. The northernmost settlement of significant size is Te Kao, and the northernmost town is Kaitaia. New Zealand's northernmost city is Whangarei.

Southernmost settlements

The southernmost settlement in New Zealand is Oban, on Stewart Island, although there is a meteorological station on Campbell Island, though this is no longer permanently manned since 1995. The southernmost town in New Zealand is Bluff. New Zealand's southernmost city is Invercargill - also its westernmost city. (Note: New Zealand also has a permanently manned base at Scott Base in Ross Dependency, this area is not considered part of New Zealand).

Easternmost settlements

The settlement of Waitangi on Chatham Island is New Zealand's easternmost settlement. In New Zealand's main chain, the easternmost settlement of any note is Tikitiki. The town of Ruatoria is New Zealand's easternmost town. New Zealand's easternmost city is Gisborne.

Westernmost settlements

Small settlements at the head of Doubtful Sound and at Manapouri Hydro are the westernmost settlements in New Zealand. The westernmost settlement of significance is Manapouri, and the westernmost town is Te Anau. New Zealand's westernmost city is Invercargill, which is also its southernmost city.

Closest point to Australia

The closest point to mainland Australia and Tasmania is near the Resolution Island lighthouse at 45°44'S, 166°28'E (Fiordland), a distance of approximately 1,491 kilometres (926 mi) from a point near Tasman Island lighthouse 43°12'S, 148°E (Tasmania).

The shortest distance from New Zealand territory to Australian territory is from Auckland Island to Macquarie Island - a distance of approximately 617 kilometres (383 mi).

See also

• Geography of New Zealand
• Extreme points of Earth