New Zealand Subantarctic Islands
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Through UNESCO, Rift and Antarctica
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.
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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:
- 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.
Ecology
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.