The remote Pacific island chain that nearly became a British thermonuclear test site

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Located 600 miles northeast of New Zealand, the volcanic Kermadec Islands are a rugged, isolated outpost. While today they serve as a quiet meteorological station, their history includes Polynesian wayfinding, whaling outposts, and a narrow escape from being repurposed as a Cold War nuclear testing ground in the 1950s.

The Kermadec Islands are a volcanic arc situated along the western edge of the Kermadec Trench, a region frequently rattled by seismic activity. The group comprises several islands, including Raoul, Macauley, and Curtis, with a total land area of approximately 13 square miles. Raoul, the largest island, features rugged cliffs rising to over 1,700 feet and a mild, subtropical climate that supports heavy vegetation, though the introduction of invasive species like cats, rats, and goats has historically damaged the local ecosystem.

Human presence on the islands has been sporadic and transient. Polynesian voyagers likely used the islands as a stopping-off point as early as the 10th or 14th centuries, leaving behind traces of taro and candlenut. European discovery followed in the late 18th century, with British and French expeditions identifying the islands between 1788 and 1793. Throughout the 19th century, the islands served as a resource hub for passing whaling vessels, leading to intermittent European settlement. However, the environment proved volatile; a volcanic eruption in 1872 forced the evacuation of early settlers, and the islands were later abandoned at the onset of World War I.

The islands were annexed by New Zealand in 1887, a status that became geopolitically significant in 1955. Seeking a remote location for thermonuclear testing, the British government requested permission to use the islands. New Zealand Prime Minister Sidney Holland ultimately refused the request, fearing domestic political backlash. Today, the islands remain a New Zealand dependency, hosting a permanently staffed meteorological and communications station on Raoul Island established in 1937. Despite this presence, permanent civilian settlement is discouraged due to the extreme isolation of the archipelago, which remains one of the most remote parts of the New Zealand territory.

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