Criteria ix, x UNESCO region Asia-Pacific | Type Natural Reference 877 UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription 1998 | |
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New zealand subantarctic islands expedition of 2014
The New Zealand Subantarctic Islands comprise the five southernmost groups of the New Zealand outlying islands. They are collectively designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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 between 130 and 85 million years ago.
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. The islands are:
They share some features with Australia's Macquarie Island to the west.
New Zealand also has territorial claims, held in abeyance under the Antarctic Treaty System, over several islands close to the Antarctic mainland, including:
Of these, Ross Island is inhabited by the scientific staff of several research stations, notably at McMurdo Sound and Scott Base.
Protection of reserves were strengthened in 2014, becoming the largest natural sanctuary in the nation.