Rakiura

Rakiura is the Māori name for Stewart Island, the third-largest island of New Zealand. It lies about 30 kilometers south of the South Island across the Foveaux Strait. The island’s main settlement is Oban, located on the northeastern coast, where a few hundred residents live.

Most of the island is encompassed by Rakiura National Park, established in 2002 to protect its forests, wetlands, and coastline. The park covers about 85 percent of Stewart Island, and extensive road access is limited. Visitors commonly travel by boat or on foot, using a network of walking tracks and sheltered coves. The Rakiura Track is a multi-day hike that traverses native forest and coastal scenery and is a popular way to experience the island.

Ecology and wildlife are notable features. The island supports diverse native flora and fauna, including the endangered Stewart Island tokoeka (Rakiura kiwi), along with other forest and seabirds. Predator-control programs aim to protect kiwi and other wildlife. The surrounding seas host marine life and seasonal penguin colonies.

Access is typically by ferry from Bluff or by air from Invercargill. Administratively, the island is part of New Zealand’s Southland Region, with tourism and conservation as major economic activities.

Historically, Maori have longstanding connections to the island, and European sealers, miners, and loggers were active in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, Rakiura is recognized for its natural heritage, cultural significance, and status as a protected part of New Zealand’s conservation network.