Chatham Rise

The Chatham Rise is an area of ocean floor to the east of New Zealand, forming part of the Zealandia continent.

Past the eastern end of the rise, the sea floor drops away to the abyssal plain.

Geologically and tectonically, the Chatham Rise can be thought of as an extension of the eastern South Island.

Dinosaurs such as theropods dwelt on the peninsula and probably evolved into numerous endemic forms (Stilwell et al. 2006).

Species include the main hoki, hake, ling, silver warehou, squid, orange roughy and deep sea (oreo) dory fisheries.