Chatham Islands (New Zealand)
| Native name: Rēkohu / Wharekauri | |
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Satellite photograph of the archipelago. The two largest islands are Chatham Island, followed by Pitt Island to the southeast
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Location of the Chatham Islands in the Pacific Ocean
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| Geography | |
| Location | Southern Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 44°02′S 176°26′W / 44.033°S 176.433°WCoordinates: 44°02′S 176°26′W / 44.033°S 176.433°W |
| Archipelago | Chatham Islands |
| Total islands | 10 |
| Major islands | Chatham Island, Pitt Island |
| Area | 966 km2 (373 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 299 m (981 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Largest settlement | Waitangi |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 600 (2013 census) |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone | |
| • Summer (DST) |
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The Chatham Islands form an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean about 800 kilometres (500 mi) east of the South Island of New Zealand. It consists of about ten islands within a 40-kilometre (25 mi) radius, the largest of which are Chatham Island and Pitt Island. Some of these islands, once cleared for farming, are now preserved as nature reserves to conserve some of the unique flora and fauna. The resident population is 600 (as of 2013[update]). The islands' economy is largely dependent on conservation, tourism, farming and fishing.
The archipelago is called Rēkohu ("Misty Sun") in the indigenous Moriori language, and Wharekauri in Māori. The Moriori are the indigenous people of the Chatham Islands, and members of the Māori Ngāti Mutunga tribe have also settled on the island. It has officially been part of New Zealand since 1842 and includes the country's easternmost point, the Forty-Fours.
Local administration of the Chatham Islands is provided by the Chatham Islands Council, whose powers are similar to other unitary authorities. It is not part of any region.
The islands are at about 43°53′S 176°31′W / 43.883°S 176.517°W, roughly 840 kilometres (520 mi) east of Christchurch, New Zealand. The nearest mainland New Zealand point to the Chatham Islands is Cape Turnagain, in the North Island at a distance of 650 kilometres (400 mi). The nearest mainland city to the islands is Hastings, New Zealand, located 697 kilometres (430 mi) to the North-West. The two largest islands, Chatham Island and Pitt Island, constitute most of the total area of 966 square kilometres (373 sq mi), with a dozen scattered islets covering the rest.
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