The Distance from the UK to New Zealand: Calculating the Exact Measurements

The distance from the UK to New Zealand varies depending on specific locations but the approximate distance from London to Auckland is about 11,500 miles or 18,500 kilometers when considering a direct flight path. This distance can vary slightly based on the exact starting and ending points as well as the specific flight route taken.

Geographical Distance Calculation Methods

Geographical distance calculation using the most accurate methods such as ellipsoidal-surface formulae ignores changes in height, which are typically minimal in this case. The WGS84 ellipsoid and the GRS80 ellipsoid are relatively simple mathematical models that approximate the geoid, the Earth's mean sea level.

To evaluate this distance, we utilized the GeodSolve utility, a tool that calculates ellipsoidal-surface distances. The WGS84 ellipsoid and the GRS80 ellipsoid models are used to calculate distances along the surface of the Earth, which approximately matches the geoid. The WGS84 ellipsoid has a maximum deviation from the geoid around 85 meters or 279 feet below, off the coast of Iceland, while another source states a maximum deviation of 85.4 meters or 280 feet below off the east coast of New Guinea. South of India, the geoid can deviate up to 107 meters or 351 feet.

Shortest Distance from the UK to New Zealand

The shortest distance from the Island of Great Britain to North Island in New Zealand is approximately 17,292 kilometers or 10,745 miles or 9,337 nautical miles. The starting point is St. Johns Point, Caithness, Highland Council, Scotland, and the ending point is Surville Cliffs, North Cape, both determined using digital mapping and geodetic coordinates. St. Johns Point in Scotland is located at about ETRS89 58° 39'’ 36.448415'' N 3° 11'’’ 24.026500'' W, while Surville Cliffs, North Cape, is at about WGS84 34° 23'’ 36.14'' S 173° 00'’’ 49.22'' E.

Closest Small Island to Small Island Distance

The closest distance between a small island in the UK and a small island in New Zealand is from Out Stack, Shetland, Scotland, to Nugent Island, Kermadec Islands, which is approximately 16,482 kilometers or 10,241 miles or 8,899 nautical miles. Out Stack, Shetland, Scotland, is noted at the northernmost point Mean High Water Springs, located at ETRS89 60° 51'’ 38.800572'' N 0° 52'’’ 23.554376'' W, calculated from Ordnance Survey MasterMap 1:2500 digital mapping. Nugent Island, Kermadec Islands, is situated at about 29° 13'’ 52.5'' S 177° 52'’’ 10.0'' W, also determined using Google Earth.

Direct Flight Path Estimates

For a direct flight path, the distance from London to Auckland is approximately 18,325 kilometers or 11,387 miles or 9,895 nautical miles. This point of departure is the equestrian statue of Charles I at Charing Cross in London, with coordinates 51° 30'’ 26.42'' N 0° 07'’’ 39.65'' W, and the arrival point is Auckland, with coordinates 36° 50'’ 26'' S 174° 44'’’ 24'' E. Wellington to Auckland is approximately 18,805 kilometers or 11,685 miles or 10,154 nautical miles, demonstrating that New Zealand's capital is even farther apart.

These distances, calculated in WGS84/GRS80 ellipsoidal-geodesic distance, provide a comprehensive understanding of the vast distance between the United Kingdom and New Zealand, highlighting the significant logistical challenges faced by airlines and travel agencies in planning direct flights and itineraries.