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How big is New Zealand

How big is New Zealand? Here's everything you need to know

How big is New Zealand?

Well, you may be surprised to learn that it is roughly the same size as the United Kingdom.

Our total land mass covers around 270,000 square kilometres.

By comparison, the United Kingdom covers around 240,000 square kilometres..

New Zealand is long and narrow, and stretches around 1,900 kilometres from top to bottom, and is around 400 kilometres wide at the widest point.

New Zealand has two main islands, the North Island and the South Island.

Our next largest is Stewart Island, and there are also hundreds of other smaller islands scattered around our beautiful coastline.

map showing New Zealand towns

How big is New Zealand's North Island?

New Zealand's North Island covers just under 114,000 square kilometres (just under 44,000 square miles).

It's the world's 14th largest, and stretches from Cape Reinga in the North to Ngawi, near Cape Palliser in the south.

The driving distance between the two is around 1,092 kilometres.

Our North Island is filled with natural wonders and Maori heritage.

Active volcanoes, bubbling mud pools, geysers, stunning bays and beaches, rolling hills, and of course some vibrant cities, are all part of what makes New Zealand's North Island so special.

You can learn more about it here.

Check out our free North Island itineraries

Not sure where to go or what to see? We have a range of free itineraries which you can use to plan your trip.

You can view them here.

Map showing New Zealand North Island State Highways

How big is New Zealand's South Island?

Our South Island covers around 150,000 square kilometres (around 58,000 square miles), which makes it the 12th largest island in the world.

The northern most point of the South Island is Cape Farewell, and the southern most point is Slope Point.

If you like stunning scenery, New Zealand's South Island is the place for you.

Towering snow-capped peaks, deep dark fiords, beautiful bays and beaches, "Great Walks", ancient glaciers, and a "picture around every corner". The South Island is a very, very special place.

You can learn more about this beautiful island here.

Use our free itineraries to plan your South Island adventure

No need to spend hours wondering where to go and what to see. Just use our range of South Island itineraries to help you plan your holiday. You can see them here.

Map showing New Zealand South Island State Highways

What about Stewart Island/Rakiura?

Stewart Island, which sits around 30 kilometres off the South Island's southern coast, is 1,746 square kilometres, or 674 square miles.

Where is New Zealand?

New Zealand sits in the Tasman Sea, around two thousand kilometres east of Australia's east coast.

Direct flights to New Zealand from Australia's east coast (Sydney or Brisbane) take around three hours.

Direct flights from the U.S. West Coast (Los Angeles or San Francisco) take around 13 hours.

From London to Auckland takes around 24 hours.

Map showing New Zealand's location

New Zealand Driving Distances - North Island

Driving distance chart New Zealand North Island. Chart courtesy New Zealand Trade Manual.

New Zealand Driving Distances - South Island

Driving distance chart New Zealand South Island. Chart courtesy New Zealand Trade Manual.

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