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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in New Zealand
New Zealand World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in New Zealand map · historical landmarks in New Zealand
New Zealand has 3 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 2 natural and 1 mixed inscriptions, inscribed between 1990 and 1998. This map of UNESCO sites in New Zealand covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
New Zealand World Heritage Sites range from New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands onwards; Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand was the country's first inscription, added in 1990; New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands is the most recent, listed in 1998; recurring threads across the list include wild places and sacred places.
Start with New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands, Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand and Tongariro National Park, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 3
- Natural
- 2
- Mixed
- 1
- First inscribed
- 1990
Sites on the map
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- DUDDunedin1 site
- ZQNQueenstown1 site
- TUOTaupo1 site
Keep exploring
All 3 sites in New Zealand
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in New Zealand
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Sub-Antarctic IslandsThe New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands consist of five island groups (the Snares, Bounty Islands, Antipodes Isl. | 1998 | Natural | The New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands consist of five island groups (the Snares, Bounty Islands, Antipodes Isl. |
| Te Wahipounamu – South West New ZealandThe landscape in this park, situated in south-west New Zealand, has been shaped by successive glaciations into. | 1990 | Natural | The landscape in this park, situated in south-west New Zealand, has been shaped by successive glaciations into. |
| Tongariro National ParkIn 1993 Tongariro became the first property to be inscribed on the World Heritage List under the revised crite. | 1990 | Mixed | In 1993 Tongariro became the first property to be inscribed on the World Heritage List under the revised crite. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in New Zealand
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in New Zealand?
- New Zealand has 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 2 natural and 1 mixed.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in New Zealand?
- Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand was inscribed in 1990. The landscape in this park, situated in south-west New Zealand, has been shaped by successive glaciations into.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in New Zealand?
- New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands, inscribed in 1998. The New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands consist of five island groups (the Snares, Bounty Islands, Antipodes Isl.
- Which sites in New Zealand are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 2 of the 3 listings are natural: New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands and Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand.
- Which UNESCO sites in New Zealand are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for New Zealand.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in New Zealand?
- The 3 UNESCO-listed sites above are New Zealand's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand (1990). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of New Zealand World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 3 New Zealand UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.