The Chatham Islands are a group of 10 islands with a total population of 650 people. The islands form an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean about 680 kilometres southeast of New Zealand. It consists of about ten islands within a 40-kilometre radius, covering a total of 966 km2. The largest islands are Chatham Island and Pitt Island.

The archipelago is called Rekohu ("misty sun") in the indigenous language Moriori, and Wharekauri in Māori. It has officially been part of New Zealand since 1842, and includes the country's easternmost point, the Forty-Fours. Chatham and Pitt are the only inhabited islands and the main settlements are at Waitangi, Kaingaroa, Te One, Port Hutt and Owenga on Chatham Island, with the remaining smaller islands being conservation reserves with access restricted or prohibited.

The first human habitation of the Chathams was by migrating Polynesian tribes who settled the islands about 1500 CE, and in their isolation became the Moriori people. The name "Chatham Islands" comes from the ship HMS Chatham of the Vancouver Expedition, whose captain William R. Broughton landed on 29 November 1791, claimed possession for Great Britain and named the islands after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Pitt, 2nd Earl of Chatham.

Most of the Chatham Island economy is based on fishing and crayfishing, with only a fragment of adventure tourism. This economic mix has been stable for the past 50 years, as little infrastructure or population is present to engage in higher levels of industrial activity.

Local government on the islands, uniquely within New Zealand, involves a council established by its own Act of Parliament, the Chatham Islands Council Act 1995. The Chatham Islands Council operates as a district council with regional council functions, making it in effect a unitary authority but with not quite as many responsibilities as the others. Some Regional Council functions are being administered by Environment Canterbury, the Canterbury Regional Council. The Chatham Islands Council is the smallest local authority, current Mayor is Alfred W Preece.

The international date line lies to the east of the Chathams, even though the islands lie east of 180°longitude. Consequently, the Chathams observe their own time, 45 minutes ahead of New Zealand time.

Visitors to the Chathams usually arrive by air from Christchurch, Auckland or Wellington (around 1.5 -- 2 hours from Christchurch on a Convair 580). Visitors are advised to have prearranged their accommodation on the islands. Transport operators may refuse to carry passengers without accommodation bookings.