The North and South Islands are moving closer together after the effects of the Kaikōura earthquake in 2016.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake caused dramatic changes to the sea bed and land, and also brought the North and South Islands five meters closer together.

However, scientists have discovered that the islands have continued to creep closer together over time!

The most north-eastern tip of the South Island, Cape Campbell, has now moved 35cm closer to Wellington.

As for Kaikōura, it has moved 15cm east and Wellington has moved five centimetres northeast.