Extreme points of New Zealand

This is a list of the extreme points of New Zealand, the points that are farther north, south, east or west than any other location in the country.

The northernmost point is often thought to be Cape Reinga, when it is actually 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 this geographical fallacy and any offshore islands that this phrase would exclude.

Extreme points

New Zealand overall

* 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 — Kahuitara Point, Pitt Island, in the Chatham Islands

(Note: this excludes New Zealand's claims - in abeyance under the Antarctic Treaty - over lands in the Ross Dependency, and the Tokelau Islands which - though under New Zealand jurisdiction - are not considered part of New Zealand)

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 any real size is Te Kao, and the northernmost town is Kaitaia. New Zealand's northernmost city is Whangarei

outhernmost 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, which is also its westernmost city. (Note: New Zealand also has a permanently manned base at Scott Base in Ross Dependency though, under the terms of the Antarctic Treaty, 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 any real size is Manapouri, and the westernmost town is Te Anau. New Zealand's westernmost city is Invercargill, which is also its southernmost city.

See also

*Geography of New Zealand
*Extreme points of the world