South Island
Remote British Overseas Territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean.
The South Island, also officially known as Te Waipounamu, is the larger of New Zealand’s two principal islands, covering 150,437 square kilometers and ranking as the world’s 12th-largest island. This landmass constitutes 56 percent of New Zealand’s total area, yet it is home to a minority of the country’s population, with the most populous urban centers being Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson, and Invercargill. The island is bounded by Cook Strait to the north, the Tasman Sea to the west, Foveaux Strait and the Southern Ocean to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Its climate at lower elevations is oceanic. The defining geographical feature is the Southern Alps, a mountain range running the length of the island, which includes Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak at 3,724 meters. To the northeast lie the Kaikōura Ranges, while the eastern side features the Canterbury Plains. The western coast and Fiordland are noted for rugged shorelines, native forests, national parks, and the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.
Prior to European arrival, the island was sparsely inhabited by three major iwi—Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, and the historical Waitaha—with key settlements such as Kaiapoi Pā near modern Christchurch. During the Musket Wars, iwi expanded into Te Tau Ihu, which includes parts of present-day Tasman, Nelson, and Marlborough. British settlement began with extensive, inexpensive land purchases, leading settlers to quickly outnumber Māori; the Wairau Affray was the sole conflict of the New Zealand Wars to occur on the island. The Otago gold rush of the 1860s spurred a boom in Dunedin, shaped by significant Chinese immigration. Following gold rushes in Otago and the West Coast, the South Island held the majority of New Zealand’s European population and wealth, but a subsequent “drift to the north” saw the North Island surpass it in population by the early 20th century, a trend that continued throughout the 1900s.
The island’s English name has long been “South Island,” though in the 19th century it was sometimes labeled “Middle Island” or “New Munster.” In 2013, after public consultation, it was officially designated both “South Island” and “Te Waipounamu,” the latter translating most often as “the water(s) of pounamu.” In Māori mythology, the island is also known as Te Waka a Māui (“Māui’s Canoe”) or Te Waka o Aoraki, referencing legends of a canoe
- area
- 3,903 km2 (1,507 sq mi)
- population
- very small non-permanent population resides on South Georgia; South Sandwich Isl
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The island of South Georgia was first sighted and visited in April 1675 by Anthony de la Roché, a London merchant and Englishman, who spent a fortnight in one of the island's bays. James Cook circumnavigated the island in 1775 and made the first landing, claiming it for the Kingdom of Great Britain and naming it the 'Isle of Georgia' in honour of King George III. Seal hunting began in 1786 and continued throughout the 19th century. In 1904, Norwegian Carl Anton Larsen established the first land-based whaling station and first permanent habitation at Grytviken, operating through his Argentine Fishing Company. The station operated until 1965. In April 1916, Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition became stranded on Elephant Island; Shackleton and five companions set out in a small boat, landing at King Haakon Bay on South Georgia's south coast on 10 May. Shackleton and two others then covered 22 miles (35 km) over the mountainous island to reach help at Stromness whaling station. In January 1922, Shackleton died on board ship while moored in King Edward Cove, South Georgia, and is buried at Grytviken. The Falklands War was precipitated on 19 March 1982 when a group of Argentinians, posing as scrap-metal merchants, occupied the abandoned whaling station at Leith Harbour. On 3 April, Argentine troops attacked and occupied Grytviken. The island was recaptured by British forces on 25 April in Operation Paraquet. In 1985, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands ceased to be administered as a Falkland Islands Dependency and became a separate territory.
Reader's Guide
The South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited, and a very small non-permanent population resides on South Georgia. There are no scheduled passenger flights or ferries to or from the territory, although visits by cruise liners to South Georgia are increasingly popular, with several thousand visitors each summer. The United Kingdom claimed sovereignty over South Georgia in 1775 and the South Sandwich Islands in 1908. The territory of 'South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands' was formed in 1985; previously, it had been governed as part of the Falkland Islands Dependencies. Argentina claimed South Georgia in 1927 and claimed the South Sandwich Islands in 1938. Argentina maintained a naval station, Corbeta Uruguay, on Thule Island in the South Sandwich Islands from 1976 until 1982 when it was closed by the Royal Navy. The Argentine claim over South Georgia contributed to the 1982 Falklands War, during which Argentine forces briefly occupied the island. Argentina continues to claim sovereignty over South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands as part of the Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur Province. The sole official language of the territory is English. The islands' motto Leo Terram Propriam Protegat is in Latin and is translated as 'May the Lion protect his own land'.
Did You Know?
- South Georgia is 165 kilometres (103 mi) long and 35 kilometres (22 mi) wide.
- The South Sandwich Islands lie about 700 kilometres (430 mi) southeast of South Georgia.
- James Cook first landed on South Georgia in 1775 and named it the 'Isle of Georgia' after King George III.
- Ernest Shackleton is buried at Grytviken on South Georgia.
- Argentina maintained a naval station, Corbeta Uruguay, on Thule Island from 1976 until 1982.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the South Island?
The South Island is the larger of New Zealand's two main islands by land area, covering roughly 56% of the country's total territory. It is dominated by the Southern Alps mountain range and hosts major cities such as Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill.
How big is the South Island?
At 150,437 square kilometres (58,084 sq mi), it ranks as the 12th-largest island on Earth. Despite that substantial size, it holds fewer residents than the North Island.
What is the highest point on the South Island?
Aoraki / Mount Cook, at 3,724 metres (12,218 feet), is the island's tallest peak and also New Zealand's overall highest mountain. It is located within the Southern Alps range.
How many people live on the South Island?
As of June 2025, the island is home to approximately 1,256,700 people, representing about 24% of New Zealand's 5.3 million total population. It remains the less populous of the two main islands despite its greater surface area.
What is Te Waipounamu?
Te Waipounamu is the Māori-language official name for the South Island, carrying equal standing alongside the English name. It is the recognized Māori designation used in official New Zealand contexts.
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