Story: Law of the sea

New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone

As a result of UNCLOS 1982 New Zealand has an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 4 million square kilometres – the fourth largest in the world. This map shows how New Zealand’s offshore islands have been used as base points for calculating the boundaries of the zone. Coastal states can also claim the resources of the continental shelf even beyond the 200-nautical-mile EEZ limit. The dotted lines indicate the additional areas New Zealand can claim under this provision.

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NIWA – National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research

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How to cite this page:

Bill Mansfield, 'Law of the sea - The benefits for New Zealand', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/zoomify/6967/new-zealands-exclusive-economic-zone (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Bill Mansfield, published 12 Jun 2006