Page updated: June 2010

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Page Contents

General

Conservation

History

Flora

Birdlife

General

Stewart Island is New Zealand's third largest Island, approx. 65 kms long and 45 kms wide - it is separated from the South Island by the Foveaux Straits. The Island is relatively low lying and undulating with the highest point, Mt Anglem/Hananui, rising to 981 mtrs. Largely unihabited and unmodified - it is mainly covered in native bush, with wetlands, sand dunes and a varied coastline from sandy beaches to sheer cliffs. The coastline is fringed with vegetation and boardered by crystal clear waters hosting an abundance of marine life - a real paradise for nature lovers.

Named "Rakiura"by Maori - which means "Glowing Sky", Stewart Island enjoys spectacular sunrises, sunsets and aurora.

As New Zealand's southernmost populated area, Stewart Island has less than 400 residents, most of whom live in and around Halfmoon Bay, in the north east. There is only 28 kms of roads servicing the populated area.

Lying between latitudes 46 and 47 degrees south - the climate is mainly temparate and variable. For more information on the weather, see Weather.

Conservation

Most of the Island (approx. 93%) is actively managed as conservation lands. On 28th February 2002, approx. 83% of Stewart Island became New Zealand's 14th National Park. In June 2004, a small marine reserve was established around a large portion of Ulva Island's coastline. There are 276 kms of walking tracks, ranging from local day walks, back country tracks and routes for experienced trampers.

History

Maori presence on Stewart Island dates as far back as the 13th Century, with evidence of midden sites and settlement found around the coastline. Mutton birding, the traditional annual harvesting of sooty shearwater, an exclusive right of Rakiura Maori and their descendants, continues to be practised on offshore islands.

Captain Cook first sailed around the shores of Stewart Island in 1770 and since this first sighting a colourful European history has unfolded with the arrival of the early sealers and whalers. The Island has seen a variety of industries including boat building, tin mining, milling, farming and fishing - the latter a surivor to the present day. Tourism, although in existence since the late 1800's has become a significant industry on the Island.

Flora

In 1909, an eminent botanist, Dr Leonard Cockayne described Stewart Island as "...an actual piece of the primeval world." Much of the Island is still relatively unmodified and is one of the few areas in New Zealand containing remnants of near pristine native forest abounding in treasures. The forest is largely a southern podcarp, temperate rainforest.

Birdlife

Stewart Island is home to many species of birdlife - some rare, some endangered. The Stewart Island kiwi or the Stewart Island Tokoeka, Apteryx australis lawyri - is one of several varieties of kiwi in New Zealand, all are fully protected. Kiwi are flightless and largely nocturnal. However, the Stewart Island Tokoeka is known to be active during the day and night. A unique bird which was thought to be an hoax in the 19th Century and an "honorary mammal" in the 20th Century, it has been adopted as New Zealand's national icon, not surprising for a country unique in iself.

The southern New Zealand dotterel, our third rarest bird (approx. 200 birds) breed only on the alpine tops of Stewart Island.

Other birds which are often seen on Stewart Island, include bellbird, tui, kaka, tomtit, brown creeper, grey warbler, red and yellow crowned parakeet and the New Zealand wood pigeon.

A listing of birds is also available on this website, see Bird List.