Which country administers the Chatham Islands, east of the South Island?

New Zealand administers the Chatham Islands, an archipelago east of New Zealand’s South Island.

The islands lie in the South Pacific and form part of New Zealand’s territory, even though they are hundreds of kilometres from the mainland. The group contains about 10 islands, led by Chatham Island and Pitt Island. For local government, the Chatham Islands Territory is administered by the Chatham Islands Council, a special territorial authority with responsibilities resembling those of a district and regional council.

The islands are known by different cultural names: Rēkohu in Moriori and Wharekauri in Māori. Moriori were the first human inhabitants, arriving from Polynesia through New Zealand. In 1835, invading Māori groups from the North Island attacked the islands, causing catastrophic losses and enslavement among the Moriori population. The islands formally became part of the Colony of New Zealand in 1842.

The Chathams have a distinctive time zone, 45 minutes ahead of mainland New Zealand. Their isolated ecosystems include many endemic plants and animals, and the islands’ economy combines fishing, farming, conservation, and tourism.