Chatham Islands
A remote archipelago far from mainland New Zealand, with its own time zone, Moriori culture and rare birds.
The Chatham Islands lie in the South Pacific east of mainland New Zealand and consist of Chatham Island, Pitt Island and others. They do not belong to any region and are run by their own council, with a separate time zone 45 minutes ahead of the mainland. The islands are the homeland of the Moriori, with rare endemic birds and basalt coastlines, and are good for birdwatching, fishing and experiencing isolated island life. Summers are relatively mild. You must fly in from Wellington, Christchurch and other cities; accommodation and transport options are limited, so book ahead.