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 85–130 million years ago. They share some features with Australia's Macquarie Island to the west. History 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. Protection of reserves was strengthened in 2014, becoming the largest natural sanctuary in the nation. Islands Antipodes Islands Antipodes Island, Bollons Island, the Windward Islands, Orde Lees Island, Leeward Island, South Islet Auckland Islands Auckland Island, Adams Island, Disappointment Island, Enderby Island, Ewing Island, Rose Island Bounty Islands Main Group, Centre Group, and Eastern Group islets Campbell Islands Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku, Dent Island, Folly Island, Jacquemart Island Snares Islands / Tini Heke Alert Stack, Broughton Island, High Island, North East Island, Western Chain islets Territorial claims New Zealand also has territorial claims, held in abeyance under the Antarctic Treaty System, over several islands close to the Antarctic mainland, including: Ross Island and the rest of the Ross Archipelago Balleny Islands: Young Island, Buckle Island, Sturge Island, plus several smaller islets Roosevelt Island Scott Island and Haggits Pillar Of these, Ross Island is inhabited by the scientific staff of several research stations, notably at McMurdo Sound and Scott Base. See also List of Antarctic and subantarctic islands List of islands of New Zealand References External links Subantarctic islands, Department of Conservation UNESCO classification for the sub-antarctic islands Castaways: Wrecked on a subantarctic island – Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand Archipelagoes of New Zealand New Zealand outlying islands Subantarctic islands World Heritage Sites in New Zealand Zealandia