About the Kermadecs

Just a few hundred kilometres from New Zealand, within our exclusive economic zone, there is an ocean region of incredible diversity – a place of dramatic landforms, unspoiled oceans, and extraordinary variety of life.

The Kermadec region – between New Zealand’s North Island and Tonga – is one of the last relatively untouched wilderness areas on the planet.

The product of violent collision between two continental plates, it is globally significant for its geology.

It is a cradle of life: a place isolated by deep water, with an arc of undersea volcanoes stretching its length. It teems with birds, whales, dolphins, fish, turtles and other unique sea creatures, many of which exist only there.