Stewart Island Rakiura Highlights Rich Birdlife and Pristine Wilderness

Stewart Island / Rakiura, the third‑largest island of New Zealand, lies approximately 30 kilometres south of the South Island’s Fiordland region. Covering roughly 1,746 square kilometres, the island is administered as part of the Southland Region and is home to a permanent population of just over 400 residents, most of whom live in the settlement of Oban. The island’s geography is dominated by Rakiura National Park, which encompasses about 85 percent of its land area and protects a mosaic of temperate rainforest, coastal dunes and rugged shoreline.

The island’s natural assets include a high concentration of endemic bird species, such as the South Island robin, yellowhead and the critically endangered takahē, making it a focal point for ornithologists and eco‑tourists. Its forested valleys and wilderness beaches provide habitats for a range of marine and terrestrial wildlife, while the low levels of light pollution have earned the region international recognition as a Dark Sky Reserve, offering some of the clearest night‑sky views in the Southern Hemisphere. These attributes continue to attract visitors seeking outdoor recreation and scientific research, reinforcing Stewart Island’s reputation as a distinctive destination for biodiversity and natural‑heritage experiences.