The Chatham Islands of New Zealand CheapOair Staff March 21, 2011 general Early morning on the Chatham Islands This impressive travel picture is from the Chatham Islands, which are located about 500 miles east of Christchurch, New Zealand. The islands are located on the New Zealand continent above the Chatham Rise, which is a large and shallow piece of submerged land that stretches east from near the South Island. The islands are the only piece of the Chatham Rise to come to the surface of the sea. The Chatham Islands have only shown up above water in the last four million years. The early morning shot captures the sun attempting to peak through the cloudy skies and provide some rays to these remote islands.