Categories: Geography of New Zealand | Islands of New Zealand

South Island

The South Island forms one of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the North Island. The Maori name for the South Island is Te Wai Pounamu which means "The Greenstone Water" (greenstone being jade).

It has an area of 58,093 square miles (151,215 square km), making it the world's 12th largest island. Along its west coast runs the mountain chain of the Southern Alps; Mount Cook is the highest point, 12,283.3 feet (3,754 m) above sea level.

Historical Note: In the 19th century, today's South Island bore the name Middle Island, and the name South Island referred to today's Stewart Island.

The South Island is often called the Mainland (somewhat humorously) because it is larger than the North Island, and because it existed first according to the corresponding Māori legend. The North island, however, is more populous, being home to three out of a total of four million kiwis.

Some North Islanders (especially Aucklanders) even refer to the South Island as though it were a single town, stating for example that some event occurred "down south" without being more specific about a particular town or city.

Historical provinces of the South Island:

Cities and towns in the South Island

Geographic features

A true-colour image of the South Island. The scene was acquired by NASA's Terra satellite, on October 23, 2002.

Shibboleth warning: maps and non-New Zealanders say "South Island"; but genuine Kiwis say "THE South Island", with a definite article. Maps, headings or tables, and adjectival expressions use "South Island"; whereas "the South Island" is used after a preposition or before or after a verb; eg "my mother lives in the South Island", "the North Island is smaller than the South Island", "I'm visiting the South Island". Note also the use "IN the South Island" rather than "ON the South Island".

Categories: Geography of New Zealand | Islands of New Zealand