the largest island of New Zealand, separated from the North Island by the Cook Strait. Pop: 1 048 200 (2013 est). Area: 153 947 sq km (59 439 sq miles)
Māori name: Te Waipounamu
South Island in American English
S island of the two main islands of New Zealand: 58,384 sq mi (151,214 sq km); pop. 882,000