What is the UTC offset for the Chatham Islands?

The Chatham Islands use a standard-time offset of UTC+12:45. They are part of New Zealand but sit 45 minutes ahead of New Zealand Standard Time.

This unusual offset applies during the islands’ standard-time period and is known as Chatham Standard Time. During daylight saving time, clocks move forward by one hour, making the seasonal offset UTC+13:45, known as Chatham Daylight Time.

The Chatham Islands are among the very few places worldwide using a 45-minute offset from Coordinated Universal Time. Nepal uses UTC+05:45, while Australia’s Central Western Time is another example, although that Australian offset is not an official national time zone in the same way.

The island group lies about 800 kilometres east of New Zealand’s South Island. Its unusual clock reflects its geographic position and local timekeeping history. The offset is not UTC+12 or UTC+13; the extra 45 minutes is the key feature that makes Chatham time distinctive.