Interesting islands
New Zealand has many small islands that are accessible and worth a visit. These include:
Stewart Island (Rakiura)
This is the country's third largest island, in terms of land size, and has about 400 inhabitants. It is easily reached by ferry from Bluff or aircraft from Invercargill and visitors can stay at the local pub in Oban or rent holiday cottages. Deep sea fishing and walking the island's 27km of road are among the main attractions. About 80% of the island is a nature reserve.
Waiheke Island
It takes about 35 minutes to reach Waiheke Island by ferry from downtown Auckland, which is why about 8,000 people choose to live permanently on New Zealand's third most populated island (behind the North and South Islands). Population increases during the summer when about 4,000 holiday homes are rented out and visitors take to Waiheke's many beaches, including the most popular which are Oneroa and Onetangi. The island attracts many day-trippers who can enjoy its wineries, restaurants and craft shops.
Rangitoto Island
This circular volcanic island in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf was formed by a series of eruptions between 600 and 700 years ago. Scientists can't agree on how long the eruptions lasted but estimates range from 10 to 200 years. Visitors can reach the island by ferry from Auckland and a walk to the summit of the volcano is rewarded by stunning views of the city and its Pacific harbour.
White Island (Whakaari)
Guided tours are available to visit this privately-owned volcanic island about 48kms off the east coast of the North Island. Helicopter and aircraft trips over the island can be taken from Rotorua, Tauranga and Whakatane while a luxury launch offers visitors a six-hour day trip from Whakatane. Sulphur mining was attempted on the island until 1914 when a lahar killed 10 workers. A second island called White Island sits 2.5km off the coast of Otago, and is within the boundaries of Dunedin.
Chatham Island
This is the largest of the Chatham Islands group in the south Pacific Ocean off the east coast of New Zealand. Tourism marketing bills the island as 'halfway between the equator and the pole and right on the international date line.' It is named after the survey ship HMS Chatham which discovered the island group in 1791.
Great Barrier Island
This island is situated about 100km from downtown Auckland and is in the outer Hauraki Gulf. It has about 862 permanent residents, most of whom farm or supply services to tourists who visit the nature reserve that comprises 60% of the island's 285 sq km. The island is accessible by ferry or aircraft.
Little Barrier Island
Little Barrier, as it's known, is about 20km closer to Auckland than Great Barrier and is an extinct volcanic cone that's about 6km in diameter. It is uninhabited except for conservation workers who protect its status as one of New Zealand's premier native and wildlife sanctuaries.
Goat Island
This tiny island, of about 1 hectare, is north-east of Warkworth which is less than an hour north of Auckland. It's best known for its marine reserve where more than 300,000 visitors a year can handfeed bread to many types of fish while snorkelers and scuba divers can safely explore the clean sea around the island.