Macquarie Island iceberg moving north, images show

Satellite images have confirmed the iceberg seen off Macquarie Island last week is moving north, past the sub-antarctic island.

Cloudy conditions have prevented National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research physical oceanographer Dr Mike Williams getting a fix on the iceberg, which was first seen by Australian scientists on the island.

However, yesterday he was able to make out the iceberg on a satellite image 20km due north of the island.

Judging by its shape and size, he believed it to be the same one.

"Given the last observation was five days ago, it's moving slowly," Dr Williams said.

The iceberg was still 1200km from New Zealand and had yet to enter the currents which could determine whether it would come closer or head out into the Pacific Ocean, he said.