Recorded Earthquake History and Seismic Activity Near Taipari Roa (Elizabeth Island) Marine Reserve

Fiordland National Park: A Protected Landscape of Glacier-Carved Fiords and Alpine Wilderness

Explore its vast boundaries and unique temperate rainforest.

Fiordland National Park, located in the Southland Region of New Zealand, is a testament to dramatic geological forces, featuring fifteen major fiords like Milford Sound, whose Mitre Peak rises majestically from the water. This protected national park encompasses an immense wilderness of alpine terrain, ancient beech forests, and numerous waterfalls, fueled by exceptional rainfall. Its inclusion in the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area underscores its global significance for biodiversity and natural landscape preservation.

Area

12,607 km²

Established

1952

IUCN

II

Visitors

500K annual

Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve: Fiordland Protected Marine Landscape Atlas

Mapped marine boundaries, stratified fiord ecology, and coastal terrain analysis

Explore the structured geography of Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve, a 433-hectare protected area located within the steep, mountain-flanked fjords of New Zealand. Gain insight into its complex underwater features, including vertical rock walls, estuarine basins, and stratified water columns that define this unique marine environment within the Fiordland region.

Area

4.33 km²

Established

2005

Relief

Mixed relief

Climate

Temperate

Moana Uta (Wet Jacket Arm) Marine Reserve: Mapped Protected Landscapes in Fiordland

Exploring unique fiord stratification and dense marine coral habitats

Located in the remote southwestern reaches of New Zealand, Moana Uta (Wet Jacket Arm) Marine Reserve preserves a complete fiord system. The area is notable for its exceptional physical conditions, including high black coral density and a distinct freshwater surface layer that sustains diverse underwater communities across steep rock walls, reefs, and deep basins.

Area

20.07 km²

Established

2005

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Kahukura (Gold Arm) Marine Reserve: Marine Protected Area and Fiordland Geographic Atlas

Submerged rocky reefs and vertical rock wall landscapes

Located in the heart of New Zealand, Kahukura (Gold Arm) Marine Reserve provides a vital map of protected coastal terrain. Its unique environment features freshwater caps, tannin-stained deep water, and diverse marine topography ranging from sheltered basin ecosystems to vertical cliff structures. This marine area offers deep insight into the complex geology and conservation dynamics of the Fiordland region.

Area

4.64 km²

Established

2005

Relief

Mixed relief

Climate

Temperate

Hawea (Clio Rocks) Marine Reserve: Protected Marine Geography in Fiordland, New Zealand

Mapping vertical rock walls and stratified fiord water ecosystems.

Hawea (Clio Rocks) Marine Reserve is an ecologically significant marine protected area situated within the deep waters of Hāwea / Bligh Sound. The reserve is defined by its dramatic vertical rock walls, tidal current channels, and the complex water stratification that sustains diverse black coral and reef communities. It offers a unique window into the geological and marine processes that have shaped the rugged coastal landscape of New Zealand's Fiordland.

Area

4.11 km²

Established

2005

IUCN

Ia

Relief

Mountain

Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve: Mapped Protected Area and Fiord Geography

A signature marine landscape within New Zealand's Fiordland region.

Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve protects a distinct underwater environment characterized by dramatic vertical rock walls and deep basins. By examining the geographic boundaries and oceanographic layering of this Fiordland site, users can better understand the interplay between the steep forested cliffs above and the thriving coral and marine wildlife habitats below the surface.

Area

6.9 km²

Established

1993

Relief

Mountain

Climate

Temperate

Mount Aspiring National Park: Glaciated Alpine Wilderness & Protected Landscape Atlas

Explore the U-shaped valleys and mapped boundaries of this iconic national park.

Mount Aspiring National Park showcases a breathtaking glacial landscape defined by steep-sided U-shaped valleys, active glaciers, and soaring alpine summits. As a designated national park within New Zealand's South Island, its protected status preserves a vast area of wilderness crucial for understanding regional geography and alpine terrain. This page provides an atlas-style exploration of its mapped boundaries and the stark, natural beauty that characterizes this significant conservation landscape in the Otago region.

Area

3,562 km²

Established

1964

IUCN

II

Relief

Mountain

Rakiura National Park: New Zealand's Remote Protected Wilderness & Landscape Atlas

Explore its rugged terrain and unique subantarctic ecosystem.

Rakiura National Park encompasses the majority of Stewart Island, offering a unique glimpse into one of New Zealand's most remote and undisturbed natural environments. This protected landscape features rugged forested hills, extensive coastlines with isolated beaches, and is globally recognized for its abundant kiwi populations. Discover the park's geographic setting and its significance as a protected area for both wildlife and cultural heritage within the broader atlas of New Zealand's natural wonders.

Area

1,399.6 km²

Established

2002

IUCN

II

Relief

Lowland