Stewart Island

For the island in the Indian Ocean, see Stewart Island (Andaman Islands).
Not to be confused with Sikaiana, formerly called the Stewart Islands, in the Solomon Islands; or Steward Island in Greenland.
"Rakiura" redirects here. For the insect, see Rakiura vernale.

Stewart Island
Rakiura (Māori)
Geography
LocationFoveaux Strait
Coordinates47°00′S 167°50′E / 47.00°S 167.84°E / -47.00; 167.84
ArchipelagoNew Zealand archipelago
Area1,747.72 km2 (674.80 sq mi)[1]
Highest elevation980 m (3220 ft)
Highest pointMount Anglem / Hananui
Administration
ElectoratesInvercargill (general)
Te Tai Tonga (Māori)
MPsPenny Simmonds (New Zealand National Party)
Tākuta Ferris (Independent politician)
Local Government
Regional CouncilEnvironment Southland
Largest settlementOban
Territorial authoritySouthland District
Community BoardStewart Island/Rakiura Community Board[2]
Demographics
Population500 (June 2025)[3]
Pop. density0.29/km2 (0.75/sq mi)

Stewart Island (Māori: Rakiura, lit. 'glowing skies', officially Stewart Island / Rakiura, formerly New Leinster) is the third-largest and southernmost inhabited island of New Zealand, lying 30 kilometres (16 nautical miles) south of the South Island, separated by Foveaux Strait.

It is a roughly triangular island with a land area of 1,746 km2 (674 sq mi). Its 164-kilometre (102 mi) coastline is indented by Paterson Inlet (east), Port Pegasus (south), and Mason Bay (west). The island is generally hilly (rising to 980 metres or 3,220 feet at Mount Anglem) and densely forested. Almost all the island is owned by the New Zealand government, and over 80 percent of the island forms Rakiura National Park.

Stewart Island's economy depends on fishing and summer tourism. Its permanent population was recorded at 408 people in the 2018 census.[4] Most residents live in the settlement of Oban on the eastern side of the island. Ferries connect Oban to Bluff in the South Island. Stewart Island is part of the Southland District for local government purposes.

History and naming

Paterson Inlet at sunset
Mudflats near Oban

Archaeology indicates that the island was settled in the 14th century, shortly after the Māori settled in the South Island.[5]

The original Māori name, Te Punga o Te Waka a Māui, means "The Anchor Stone of Māui’s Canoe". This refers to the legend of Māui and his crew, who from their canoe Te Waka a Māui (the South Island), caught and raised the great fish Te Ika a Māui, the North Island.

The more common Māori name, Rakiura, is usually translated as "glowing skies" in reference to the aurora australis.[6]

For some, Rakiura is the abbreviated version of Te Rakiura a Te Rakitamau, translated as "great blush of Rakitamau", in reference to the latter's embarrassment when refused the hand in marriage of not one but two daughters of an island chief.[7]

James Cook saw the insularity of Stewart Island during his first Pacific Voyage in 1770. After five days of sailing south/clockwise around the island, Endeavour stood at the western entrance of Foveaux Strait. Looking east through the wide Strait, the crew could see Ruapuke Island which they had passed 5 days earlier, guarding the eastern entrance of the Strait. Cook wrote: “there appear’d an open Channel … we saw the small island we were in with on the 6th instant”. Zachary Hicks wrote: “this is ye Western opening of the Passage mentioned the 6 Ins.”[8] Nonetheless, Cook knew that an offshore island was strategically valuable to Britain’s rivals and should be hidden as a matter of military policy. He tried to erase his description of Foveaux Strait from his journal and drew a revised chart attaching the island to the mainland, turning Stewart Island into a peninsula.[9]

Like Beaglehole, another New Zealand historian, Robert McNab, was shocked by this. Neither could conceive that Cook and the Admiralty would engage in strategic disinformation/cartographic secrecy. McNab writes: “Unless given us in Cook’s own words, it would be incredible that he could have made such a mistake.".[10] However, G. A. Mawer argues that Cook was simply unsure whether it was an island because his focus was on finding the southern extent of New Zealand, and conditions were unfavourable for more closely exploring a possible strait.[11]

The strait was first charted by Owen Folger Smith, a New Yorker who had been in Sydney Harbour with Eber Bunker, from whom he probably learned of the eastern seal hunting. Smith charted the strait in the whaleboat of the sealing brig Union (out of New York) in 1804 and on his 1806 chart, it was called Smith's Straits.[12]

The island received its English name in honour of William W. Stewart. He was first officer on the Pegasus, which visited in 1809, and he charted the large south-eastern harbour that now bears the ship's name (Port Pegasus) and determined the northern points of the island, proving that it was an island.[13][14] In 1824, he initiated plans in England to establish a timber, flax and trading settlement at Stewart Island and sailed there in 1826.[13]

In 1841, the island was established as one of the three Provinces of New Zealand and was named New Leinster. However, the province existed on paper only and was abolished after only five years. With the passing of the New Zealand Constitution Act 1846, the island became part of New Munster, which entirely included the South Island.[15] When New Munster was abolished in 1853, Stewart Island became part of Otago Province until 1861, when Southland Province split from Otago. In 1876, the provinces were abolished altogether.

For most of the twentieth century, "Stewart Island" was the official name, and the most commonly used. The name was officially altered to Stewart Island/Rakiura by the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998, one of many such changes under the Ngāi Tahu treaty settlement.[16]

Geography

Satellite image of Stewart Island
Northern part of Stewart Island, with a view over some of the bays

Stewart Island has an area of 1,680 square kilometres (650 sq mi).[17] The highest point is Mount Anglem, at 980 metres (3,215 ft) above sea level, located close to the island's north coast.[18][19] Following the passage of the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998, the official name of the peak was altered to Mount Anglem / Hananui.[20][21]

The southern half is more uniformly undulating, rising to a ridge that runs south from the valley of the Rakeahua River, which also flows into Paterson Inlet. The southernmost point in this ridge is Mount Allen, at 750 metres (2,460 ft). Notable twin rock formations in this region are granite domes known as Gog and Magog.[22][23]

Mason Bay, on the west side, is notable for being long and sandy. One suggestion is that the bay was formed in the aftershock of a meteorite impact in the Tasman Sea; however, no evidence has been found to support such a claim.[24][25]

Approximately 18,000 years ago during the Last Glacial Maximum when sea levels were 100 m (330 ft) lower than present day levels, Stewart Island and its surrounding islands were connected to the rest of New Zealand. Sea levels began to rise 7,000 years ago, eventually separating Stewart Island from the mainland.[26]

There are several large and many small islands around the coast.[27][28] Codfish Island / Whenua Hou is an island nature reserve of 1,396 ha (3,450 acres) located 3 km (1.9 mi) west of Stewart Island, known as a protected habitat for kākāpō.[29] Ulva Island is within Paterson Inlet, and is a 267 ha (660 acres) sanctuary for native species.[30] It is open to the public and is maintained free of introduced pest animals.[31]

Three groups of small islands around the north-east and south-west coasts of Stewart Island are known collectively as the Tītī / Muttonbird Islands. These are the locations for the traditional seasonal harvesting (muttonbirding) of sooty shearwater chicks by Rakiura Māori.[32][33] The largest of these islands is Taukihepa / Big South Cape Island.[28]

Settlements

Overlooking Oban and Halfmoon Bay

The only town is Oban, on Halfmoon Bay.

Geology

Geologically, Stewart Island is made up of rocks from the Median Batholith. The island is mostly composed of granite, particularly the southern two thirds of the island. The northern third (north of the Freshwater Valley Fault) is composed of Anglem Complex diorites, minor gabbro and granite, and many pegmatites. The Freshwater Valley Fault in between is mainly alluvium and volcanic sediments.[34]

Rivers

See also: Category:Rivers of Stewart Island

There is a variety of types of watercourse on Stewart Island as a result of the moderate to high rainfall and the wide variations in landform and soil types. They range from lowland rivers such as the Rakeahua and Freshwater rivers, to short and steep streams in the coastal northwest.[35]

Freshwater River is the longest river on Stewart Island. It is navigable at high tide from Paterson Inlet and is used by water taxi services to transport walkers to Freshwater Landing, at the junction of the Southern Circuit and Northwest Circuit walking tracks.[36] The tributaries are on the southern slopes of Mount Anglem and the eastern slopes of the Ruggedy Mountain area. In its lower reaches the river flows through a basin that comprises the majority of the flat land on Stewart Island.[37] The Freshwater River valley contains the southernmost kahikatea forest in New Zealand.[38]

Rakiura National Park

Main article: Rakiura National Park

Rakiura National Park is the 14th of New Zealand's national parks and was officially opened on 9 March 2002.[39] The park covers close to 1,400 square kilometres (540 sq mi),[40] which is about 85% of the area of Stewart Island / Rakiura. The area of the park excludes the township around Halfmoon Bay (Oban) and some roads as well as private or Māori-owned land further inland.[39]

Climate

Stewart Island has a temperate climate.[41] However, one travel guide mentions "frequent downpours that make 'boots and waterproof clothing mandatory",[42] and another guide says that rainfall in Oban, the principal settlement, is 1,600 to 1,800 mm (63 to 71 in) a year.[43]

Climate data for Oban, Stewart Island (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1975–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 30.6
(87.1) 		28.5
(83.3) 		26.5
(79.7) 		29.0
(84.2) 		20.5
(68.9) 		17.5
(63.5) 		16.0
(60.8) 		17.1
(62.8) 		21.3
(70.3) 		25.0
(77.0) 		26.5
(79.7) 		28.5
(83.3) 		30.6
(87.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 17.6
(63.7) 		17.5
(63.5) 		16.2
(61.2) 		14.4
(57.9) 		12.4
(54.3) 		10.4
(50.7) 		10.1
(50.2) 		10.8
(51.4) 		12.5
(54.5) 		13.6
(56.5) 		14.9
(58.8) 		16.7
(62.1) 		13.9
(57.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 13.6
(56.5) 		13.5
(56.3) 		12.3
(54.1) 		10.7
(51.3) 		9.0
(48.2) 		7.0
(44.6) 		6.5
(43.7) 		7.2
(45.0) 		8.6
(47.5) 		9.7
(49.5) 		10.9
(51.6) 		12.7
(54.9) 		10.1
(50.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 9.6
(49.3) 		9.5
(49.1) 		8.4
(47.1) 		7.0
(44.6) 		5.7
(42.3) 		3.6
(38.5) 		2.8
(37.0) 		3.7
(38.7) 		4.8
(40.6) 		5.7
(42.3) 		7.0
(44.6) 		8.7
(47.7) 		6.4
(43.5)
Record low °C (°F) 1.0
(33.8) 		0.9
(33.6) 		0.7
(33.3) 		−0.4
(31.3) 		−6
(21) 		−7.3
(18.9) 		−6
(21) 		−7
(19) 		−4.5
(23.9) 		−1.8
(28.8) 		−0.4
(31.3) 		0.6
(33.1) 		−7.3
(18.9)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 138.4
(5.45) 		106.9
(4.21) 		139.3
(5.48) 		118.7
(4.67) 		155.3
(6.11) 		139.6
(5.50) 		130.8
(5.15) 		116.0
(4.57) 		122.8
(4.83) 		146.5
(5.77) 		134.4
(5.29) 		116.3
(4.58) 		1,565
(61.61)
Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) 15.3 13.6 15.4 16.0 17.9 17.8 17.0 16.5 16.0 17.0 17.0 16.1 195.5
Average relative humidity (%) 84.3 87.4 87.4 89.4 91.1 90.9 91.3 89.9 85.0 84.3 81.6 82.6 85.8
Source: NIWA (rainy days and humidity 1975–2015)[44][45]

Demographics

Stewart Island covers 1,747.72 km2 (674.80 sq mi)[1] including the offshore islands, the most sizeable being Ruapuke Island, Codfish Island / Whenua Hou and Taukihepa / Big South Cape Island. It had an estimated population of 500 as of June 2025,[3] with a population density of 0.29 people per km2.

Stewart Island had a population of 408 at the 2018 New Zealand census.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006402—    
2013378−0.88%
2018408+1.54%
Source: [4]

Of those at least 15 years old, 84 (23.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 63 (17.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $33,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 57 people (16.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 207 (58.5%) people were employed full-time, 54 (15.3%) were part-time, and 3 (0.8%) were unemployed.[4]

In the 2018 census ethnicities were recorded as being: 93.4% European, 19.9% Māori, 1.5% Pasifika, 0.7% Asian, and 2.2% other ethnicities.[4]

Ecology

Flora

Noeline Baker purchased land near Halfmoon Bay in the early 1930s and with a checklist by botanist Leonard Cockayne populated it with all the local indigenous plants. She gave the land and her house to the government in 1940, and today Moturau Moana is New Zealand's southernmost public garden.[46]

Fauna

There are many species of birds on Stewart Island that have been able to continue to thrive because of the absence of the stoats, ferrets, and weasels that humans brought to the main islands. There are even more species of birds, including huge colonies of sooty shearwater and other seabirds, on The Snares and the other smaller islands offshore. The birds of Stewart Island include weka, kākā, albatross, the flightless Stewart Island kiwi, silvereyes, fantails, and kererū. The endangered yellow-eyed penguin has a significant number of breeding sites here.[47] The South Island giant moa (Dinornis robustus) occurred on the island, subfossil remains having been retrieved in its dunes.[48]

Threats and preservation

As the island has always been sparsely populated and there has never been very much logging, much of the original wildlife is intact, including species that have been devastated on the mainland post-colonisation. However, although habitats and wildlife were not threatened by invasive species historically, now there are populations of brushtail possums, feral cats, hedgehogs and three species of rats.[49] Mice arrive on the island, but are not known to have established a population, and there are no mustelids.[50] There is a large population of white-tailed deer, which were introduced to coastal areas and are hunted for meat and sport. There is also a small population of red deer, confined to the inland areas.[51]

Rabbits were introduced to the island in 1943 which later became a pest after rapid multiplication.[52]

In February 2025, the Department of Conservation (DOC) announced a pest eradication project on the island. The project, part of the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC), targets three islands up to 15 times larger than any previously cleared of pests in New Zealand. The goal is to remove invasive species, restore ecosystems, and protect native wildlife, including kākāpō, seabirds, and rare plants. The total project cost is estimated at $202 million, with $54 million from the government and $11.5 million raised through philanthropy, leaving $137 million still needed.[53]

International Dark Sky Sanctuary

In January 2019, Stewart Island was accredited as a Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark-Sky Association. This designation is given for sites in very remote locations to increase awareness of their dark sky characteristics and promote long-term conservation. The application for accreditation was made by Venture Southland, an agency responsible for the region's economic and community development initiatives and tourism promotion, with the aim of attracting more visitors, particularly in the winter period.[54][55]

Transport

See also: List of shipwrecks of Southland § Stewart Island

Ferry services

The ferry journey across Foveaux Strait between Bluff Harbour on the South Island and Oban in Stewart Island is about 39 km (21 nmi) long.[56] The present high speed catamaran service typically takes one hour.[57][58] As of 2024, the ferry service is operated by the tourism company RealNZ (formerly Real Journeys).[59]

History

The first scheduled service across Foveaux Strait began in 1877 for weekly mail delivery, but soon also carried passengers and general cargo.[60] A larger vessel, the Bluff Harbour Board tug P.S. Awarua, took over the service in 1885. The Awarua arrived in Bluff on 4 January 1885, after a delivery voyage lasting more than 6 months since leaving dock in London.[61] A trial excursion to Stewart Island on the Awarua took place on 10 March 1885,[62][63] and a weekly service to Steward Island commenced.[64] A government subsidy was required to support the service, but it brought economic benefit by supporting the development of the fishing industry based on Stewart Island and increased the number of visitors.[60] Many different vessels were used by the Bluff Harbour Board on the Foveaux Strait ferry service in the first half of the 20th century, including the Southland and Theresa Ward, MV. Tamatea,[65] and the steamer Orewa.[66] Demands for a daily service across Foveaux were published in 1937.[67] The twin screw steamer Wairua took over the Foveaux Strait ferry service in 1944.[68] By 1959, the ferry service was operating with annual losses of £7,464.[69] The steamer Wairua was 46 years old by that time, and a new replacement vessel was planned.[70] In the interim, the government ship Matai replaced the Wairua.[71]

By 1960, a new vessel to take over the Foveaux Strait service was under construction in Auckland. It was the largest ship to be constructed in New Zealand at that time, and was also named Wairua.[72] The delivery voyage to Bluff was completed on 19 December 1961, and her first crossing of Foveaux Strait was on 20 December.[73] The new Wairua was the first vessel in New Zealand to be fitted with anti-roll capabilities. The service to Stewart Island was twice a week during winter, and three times a week during summer.[74] By 1985, the accumulated losses in operating the Wairua on the Foveaux Strait service over the previous 10 years totalled $6 million. The Minister of Transport, Richard Prebble, announced that the losses could not continue, and that the service would be withdrawn. Private operators would be invited to operate a service.[75][76] The Wairua continued on the Stewart Island ferry service until September 1985, when she was sold for service in Fiji.[77][78]

Private operators provided a replacement ferry service to Stewart Island after the government service ended in 1985. A new ferry for the Stewart Island service was built in Invercargill for the company Stewart Island Marine, and launched in April 1999. The new vessel was a catamaran capable of taking 100 passengers, one third more than the vessel it replaced.[79] In 2004, after operating the business for 14 years, Stewart Island Marine sold the ferry service to Stewart Island Experience — a joint venture between two private individuals and the tourism company Real Journeys.[80][81] A third vessel seating 160 passengers was added to the service in December 2004.[82] However, within two weeks of beginning service, the vessel was sold to Fullers Northland for service in the Bay of Islands, after Fullers suffered the loss of a vessel.[83] Real Journeys bought out their partners to take complete control of the Stewart Island ferry service in May 2005.[84][85] In 2015, responding to proposals for subsidised travel to Stewart Island for senior citizens, the chief executive of Real Journeys stated: "Not only are Stewart Island ferries completely unsubsidised but the Foveaux Strait is an extremely expensive piece of water to operate on commercially".[86]

Air services

Stewart Island Flights provides air services across Foveaux Strait between Invercargill Airport and Ryan's Creek Aerodrome on Stewart Island. Their aircraft also land on the sand at Mason Bay, Doughboy Bay, and West Ruggedy Beach.[87]

History

In 1950, a licence was granted to Amphibian Airways to operate an air service between Invercargill and Stewart Island.[88] In December 1950, finance was being sought for the purchase of a Grumman Widgeon amphibious aircraft.[89] The inaugural flight to Half Moon Bay was made on 20 March 1951, with plans for a weekly service.[90][91] In 1976, Stewart Island Air Services took over an amphibian air service to Stewart Island that had previously been operated by the Mount Cook Group. In 1980, Stewart Island Air Services rebranded as Southern Air.[92] By 1980, a sealed airstrip had been built at Ryan's Creek above Oban, and services from Invercargill were provided using Nomad and Britten-Norman Islander aircraft.[93][94]

In 1998 a Southern Air Cessna ditched into Foveaux Strait on a trip from Stewart Island to Invercargill after losing power to both engines, resulting in five deaths.[95][96]

Infrastructure

Spark, 2degrees, and One NZ all offer 3G cellphone coverage. Spark also offers 4G[97] 700 MHz[98] coverage. Spark provides 4G Wireless Broadband,[99] with One NZ providing 3G Rural Wireless Broadband.[100] All these services are delivered via a radio link from Bluff.[101]

Since 1988, the electricity supply on Stewart Island has come from diesel generators; previously, residents used their own private generators. As a consequence, electric power is around three times more expensive than in the South Island, at NZ$0.59/kWh in 2016[102] and NZ$0.85/kWh in 2025.[103] After photovoltaic and wind generation were tested on the island,[102] the government's Provincial Growth Fund put $3.16 million towards building wind turbines on Stewart Island.[104] The effort was defeated by local landowners who refused to grant access to the site through their property and general obstruction efforts by various parties.[105] In June 2025, the government announced a $15m loan for a solar project on the island, with plans for a 2 MW solar farm and 4 MWh battery installed by the end of 2027.[103]

Publicity and promotions

Residents of Stewart Island have held a number of mock promotional fundraising events regarding a declaration of independence for the island, and to have it renamed to its original name of "Rakiura". An effort to raise NZ$6,000 for a new swimming pool at the island's school involved selling 50-cent passports for the newly "independent" island. On 31 July 1970, a mock ceremony featured a declaration of independence, and the new republic's flag was unveiled. These efforts were not serious attempts for independence, and Stewart Island remains a part of the New Zealand state.[106]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Stewart Island/Rakiura Community Board". Southland District Council. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Stewart Island (359300). 2018 Census place summary: Stewart Island
  5. ^ Holdaway, Richard N.; Jones, Martin D.; Athfield, Nancy R. Beavan (1 September 2003). "Establishment and extinction of a population of South Georgian diving petrel (Pelecanoides georgicus) at Mason Bay, Stewart Island, New Zealand, during the late Holocene". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 33 (3): 601–622. Bibcode:2003JRSNZ..33..601H. doi:10.1080/03014223.2003.9517748. ISSN 0303-6758.
  6. ^ Walrond, Carl (1 May 2015). "Stewart Island/Rakiura". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
  7. ^ "Features: Rakiura National Park". Department of Conservation (New Zealand). Archived from the original on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  8. ^ Beaglehole, J.C., ed. (1955). The Journals of Captain James Cook. Vol. 1. Cambridge: Hakluyt Society. p. 263. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
  9. ^ Cameron-Ash, Margaret (2022). Lying for the Admiralty: Captain Cook's Endeavour Voyage. Balmain: Quadrant Books. pp. 234–43. ISBN 97806489961-3-2.
  10. ^ McNab, Robert (1909). Murihiku: A History of the South Island of New Zealand. Wellington NZ: Whitcome & Tombs Ltd. pp. 23–24.
  11. ^ Mawer, GA (2018). "Lying for the admiralty: Captain Cook's Endeavour voyage [Book Review]". The Globe. 84: 59–61.
  12. ^ Howard, Basil, and Stewart Island Centennial Committee. Rakiura: a History of Stewart Island, New Zealand, Basil Howard Reed for the Stewart Island Centennial Committee, Dunedin, 1940, p.22; Charles A. Begg and Neil C. Begg, Port Preservation, Christchurch, Whitcombe & Tombs, 1973, p.61; Peter Entwisle, Behold the Moon: The European Occupation of the Dunedin District 1770–1848, Dunedin, Port Daniel Press, 1998.
  13. ^ a b Foster, Bernard John (1966). "Stewart, Captain William W.". In McLintock, Alexander (ed.). An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019 – via Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
  14. ^ John O'C. Ross, William Stewart, Sealing Captain, Trader and Speculator, Aranda (A.C.T), Roebuck Society, 1987, pp. 97–117.
  15. ^ Paterson, Donald Edgar (1966). "New Leinster, New Munster, and New Ulster". In McLintock, Alexander (ed.). An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 18 May 2019 – via Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
  16. ^ "Schedule 96 Alteration of place names". Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  17. ^ Walrond, Carl (3 September 2012). "Stewart Island/Rakiura – New Zealand's third main island". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  18. ^ RCMS 2012, p. 166.
  19. ^ "Mount Anglem/Hananui". New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  20. ^ RCMS 2012, p. 15.
  21. ^ "Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998". Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  22. ^ RCMS 2012, p. 49.
  23. ^ Silverwood, Neil (17 May 2017). "Roaring across the Tin Range". Wilderness Magazine. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  24. ^ Collins, Simon (6 February 2004). "Expedition hunts giant meteor". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  25. ^ Goff J, Dominey-Howes D, Chagué C, Courtney C (2010). "Analysis of the Mahuika comet impact tsunami hypothesis". Marine Geology. 271 (3): 292–296. Bibcode:2010MGeol.271..292G. doi:10.1016/j.margeo.2010.02.020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  26. ^ "Estuary origins". National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  27. ^ RCMS 2012, pp. 39–42.
  28. ^ a b "Stewart Island / Rakiura". NZ Topo Map. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  29. ^ "Kākāpō habitat and islands". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  30. ^ RCMS 2012, pp. 212–216.
  31. ^ "Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  32. ^ "Tītī / Muttonbird Islands". New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  33. ^ "Tītī/Muttonbird islands". Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  34. ^ "Stewart Island, Southland District, Southland Region, New Zealand". Mindat.org. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  35. ^ RCMS 2012, p. 20.
  36. ^ "Freshwater River - Stewart Island, NZ". www.aihe.co.nz. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  37. ^ Brent Cowie; A. J. Conner; L. N. Conner (1978). "A survey of the benthic invertebrates from the freshwater valley, Stewart Island". New Zealand Natural Sciences. 6. doi:10.26021/375. ISSN 0113-7492. Wikidata Q97666275.
  38. ^ RCMS 2012, p. 19.
  39. ^ a b "Stewart Island national park created". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Press Association. 10 March 2002. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  40. ^ RCMS 2012, p. 115.
  41. ^ "weather". Stewart Island. Stewart Island Promotion Association Inc. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  42. ^ "Weather in Stewart Island". When to go & weather. Lonely Planet. 2012. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  43. ^ "Weather". Wilderness Experience. Raggedy Range. 2012. Archived from the original on 5 December 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  44. ^ "CliFlo – National Climate Database : Stewart Is". NIWA. Archived from the original on 27 November 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  45. ^ "CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 5836)". NIWA. Archived from the original on 10 March 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  46. ^ Taylor, Leah. "Isabel Noeline Baker". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  47. ^ Hogan, C. Michael (2009). "Yellow-eyed Penguin: Megadypes antipodes". GlobalTwitcher.com. ed. N. Stromberg
  48. ^ "A partial skeleton provides evidence for the former occurrence of moa populations on Rakiura Stewart Island". New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 15 November 2021. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  49. ^ "Predator Free Rakiura". Department of Conservation. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  50. ^ "The predators". Predator Free Rakiura. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  51. ^ "Rakiura Island temperate forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
  52. ^ "Untitled". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 13 October 1944. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  53. ^ "Three New Zealand islands to undergo 'ground-breaking' pest eradications". Stuff. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  54. ^ "New night sky sanctuary tipped to shine a spotlight on Stewart Island". RNZ. 7 January 2019. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  55. ^ "Stewart Island / Rakiura (New Zealand)". International Dark-Sky Association. 3 January 2019. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  56. ^ Walrond, Carl (1 May 2015). "Stewart Island/Rakiura - New Zealand's third main island". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  57. ^ McLean, Gavin (11 March 2010). "Ferries – Cook and Foveaux strait ferries". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  58. ^ "Foveaux Strait: Rocking, rolling, riding ..." The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 17 December 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  59. ^ "Stewart Island Ferry Service". RealNZ. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  60. ^ a b Gavin, McLean (11 March 2010). "Ferries – Cook and Foveaux strait ferries". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  61. ^ "Arrival of the P.S. Awarua". The Southland Times. No. 7018. 5 January 1885. p. 2.
  62. ^ "Tug Excursion". The Star (Christchurch). No. 5256. 11 March 1885. p. 4.
  63. ^ "Trial of the Awarua". The Southland Times. No. 7064. 11 March 1885. p. 2.
  64. ^ "Synopsis of new advertisements". The Southland Times. No. 8046. 29 June 1885. p. 2. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  65. ^ "Page 2 Advertisements Column 4: Stewart Island Service". The Southland Times. No. 24049. 13 February 1940. p. 2.
  66. ^ "Stewart Island Ferry Service". The Southland Times. No. 25022. 9 April 1943. p. 3. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  67. ^ "Stewart Island". New Zealand Herald. Vol. LXXIV, no. 22857. 12 October 1937.
  68. ^ "Stewart Island Trade: Steamer Wairua Acquired". The Dominion (Wellington). Vol. 38, no. 78. 27 December 1944. p. 4.
  69. ^ "Stewart Island Ferry: £22,000 loss in last three years". The Press. Vol. XCVIII, no. 29009. 25 September 1959. p. 12. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  70. ^ "The New Stewart Island Ferry". The Press. Vol. XCVIII, no. 28876. 22 April 1959. p. 5.
  71. ^ "Stewart Island Service". The Press. Vol. XCVIII, no. 29019. 7 October 1959. p. 17.
  72. ^ "Largest ship built in N.Z." The Press. Vol. XCIX, no. 29248. 5 July 1960. p. 13.
  73. ^ "Stewart Is. Ferry". The Press. Vol. C, no. 29701. 20 December 1961. p. 25. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  74. ^ "Stewart Is. Ferry". The Press. Vol. C, no. 29691. 8 December 1961. p. 20. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  75. ^ "Minister withdraws ferry". The Press. 4 April 1985. p. 4. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  76. ^ "Increased costs close Foveaux ferry service". The Press. 21 June 1985. p. 24. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  77. ^ "Islanders' farewell to old ferry". The Press. 11 September 1985. p. 26. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  78. ^ Esler, Lloyd (20 April 2024). "About the South: A ferry, large plough and Stewart Island". Stuff.
  79. ^ Cosgriff, David (19 April 1999). "New ferry launched". The Southland Times. p. 3. ProQuest 330564841.
  80. ^ McCarthy, Phil (25 June 2004). "$5m island tourism deal aired". The Southland Times. p. 2. ProQuest 330744893.
  81. ^ McCarthy, Phil (18 August 2004). "Joint venture to take over Foveaux Express". The Southland Times. p. 1. ProQuest 330752320.
  82. ^ Glass, Amy (4 December 2004). "Third ferry set to join Stewart Island run". The Southland Times. ProQuest 330762988.
  83. ^ MacNicol, Kirsty (24 December 2004). "Fullers buys Stewart Is catamaran; Deal hastens new ferry". The Southland Times. p. 5. ProQuest 330787354.
  84. ^ McCarthy, Phil (19 May 2005). "Real Journeys buys out co-owners". The Southland Times. p. 3. ProQuest 330753179.
  85. ^ Morgan, Jared (8 February 2006). "Catamaran joins island fleet". The Southland Times. p. 15. ProQuest 330886489.
  86. ^ McCarthy, Phil (19 May 2015). "Real Journeys open to talks about ferry deal". The Southland Times. p. 3. ProQuest 1681303129.
  87. ^ "Charter & Beach Flights". Stewart Island Flights. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  88. ^ "Licence granted: Air service to Stewart Island". Otago Daily Times. No. 27323. 24 February 1950. p. 4. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  89. ^ "Service to Stewart Island". Otago Daily Times. No. 27571. 13 December 1950. p. 6.
  90. ^ "General News: Air service to Stewart Island". The Press. No. 26376. 21 March 1951. p. 6. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  91. ^ "Stewart Island Air Services history". Airline History. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  92. ^ "Funds injection for Southern Air". The Press. 5 December 1983. p. 33. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  93. ^ "South's airline spreads new wings". The Press. 6 October 1981. p. 12. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  94. ^ Wilson, Hugh (4 January 1980). "To Stewart Island, for a visit ..." The Press. p. 8. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  95. ^ "Foveaux Strait tragedy revisited". Southland Times. 31 January 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024 – via Stuff.
  96. ^ "AO-1998-008: Cessna 402C ZK-VAC, double engine failure and ditching, Foveaux Strait, 19 August 1998". Transport Accident Investigation Commission. 14 May 1999. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  97. ^ "Spark NZ network coverage". www.spark.co.nz. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  98. ^ "GIS Geek". gis.geek.nz. Archived from the original on 7 February 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  99. ^ "Broadband Map". broadbandmap.nz. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  100. ^ "Vodafone Rural Wireless Broadband service. RBI". www.vodafone.co.nz. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  101. ^ "GIS Geek". gis.geek.nz. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  102. ^ a b "Stewart Is may lead NZ in green power". 26 April 2008. Archived from the original on 3 June 2010.
  103. ^ a b "$15m loan for Stewart Island solar farm". 23 June 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  104. ^ "Provincial Growth Fund bankrolls two wind turbines for Stewart Island". Stuff. 22 November 2019. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  105. ^ "Staunch opposition to wind turbines keeps Stewart Island running on diesel power". Stuff. 28 May 2021. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  106. ^ Stewart Island (New Zealand). FOTW Flags Of The World.

Works cited

Further reading

  • Dempsey, Gertrude (1964). The Little World of Stewart Island (Hardback). Wellington: A.H. & A. W. Reed.
  • Hall-Jones, John (1994). Stewart Island Explored (Hardback). Invercargill: Craig Printing. ISBN 0-908629-42-7.
  • Sansom, Olga (2006). In the Grip of an Island: Early Stewart Island History (Hardback). Invercargill: Cadsonbury. ISBN 978-1-877346-14-9.
  • Sansom, Olga (1970). The Stewart Islanders (Hardback). Wellington: A.H. & A. W. Reed. ISBN 978-0-589-00454-5.
  • Sansom, Olga (1974). One Hundred Years of Schooling at Stewart Island, 1874–1974. Halfmoon Bay: Stewart Island School Centennial Committee.
allikas: Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakiura_(island)