Stewart Island

Stewart Island, officially known as Stewart Island / Rakiura, is a significant landmass in New Zealand.

It is the third-largest inhabited island in the country. It is also the southernmost inhabited island. The island sits south of the South Island. A body of water called the Foveaux Strait separates them. The island has a roughly triangular shape. It covers a land area of 1,751 square kilometers. Most of this land is owned by the New Zealand government. Over 80 percent of the island is part of Rakiura National Park.

The physical landscape of the island is diverse and rugged. The terrain is generally hilly and covered in dense forests. The highest point is Mount Anglem / Hananui. This peak reaches 874 meters above sea level. It is located near the northern coast. In the southern half, the land is more undulating. A ridge runs south from the Rakeahua River valley. This ridge contains Mount Allen, which is 537 meters high. You can also find two granite domes called Gog and Magog here. The coastline is deeply indented by several large features. These include Paterson Inlet to the east and Port Pegasus to the south.

Mason Bay on the west side is long and sandy.

Geologically, the island is composed of specific rock types. Much of the island is made of granite. This is especially true for the southern two-thirds. The northern third is different. It contains Anglem Complex diorites, minor gabbro, and granite. There are also many pegmatites in this northern area. A feature called the Freshwater Valley Fault separates these sections. This fault zone consists mainly of volcanic sediments and alluvium. The island's watercourses vary because of high rainfall and different soil types. The Freshwater River is the longest river on the island. It flows through a basin containing the southernmost kahikatea forest in New Zealand.

Human history on the island began in the 14th century. Archaeology shows that Māori settled there shortly after settling the South Island. One Māori name for the island is Te Punga o Te Waka a Māui. This means "The Anchor Stone of Māui’s Canoe." This name relates to a legend about the North and South Islands. Another common name is Rakiura. This translates to "glowing skies" and refers to the aurora australis.

In 1770, explorer James Cook visited the area. He observed the Foveaux Strait during his first Pacific voyage. Interestingly, Cook drew a chart that showed the island as a peninsula. He did this to hide the island's location from rival nations. This was a form of strategic cartographic secrecy. Later, in 1804, Owen Folger Smith charted the strait. The island eventually received its English name from William W. Stewart. He was an officer who proved the land was an island in 1809.

The island's population is very small. The 2023 census recorded 486 permanent residents.

Most people live in the settlement of Oban. This town is located on the eastern side at Halfmoon Bay.

Visitors can reach Oban by taking a ferry from Bluff. The local economy depends on fishing and summer tourism. The island is part of the Southland District for local government. While the population is small, the median income is $38,400. This is higher than the national median of $31,800.

Stewart Island is a vital sanctuary for many animal species. Many birds thrive here because the island lacks certain predators. There are no stoats, ferrets, or weasels on the main island. You can find the flightless Stewart Island kiwi and the yellow-eyed penguin here.

Some nearby islands are even more protected. Codfish Island / Whenua Hou is a nature reserve for the critically endangered kākāpō. Ulva Island is another sanctuary for native species. There are also the Tītī / Muttonbird Islands. Rakiura Māori traditionally harvest sooty shearwater chicks from these islands. However, some invasive species like feral cats and rats do exist on the island.

Environmental factors shape the daily life and nature of the region. The climate is temperate but often very wet. Oban receives about 1,700 millimeters of rain each year. Because of this, travelers often need waterproof clothing. About 18,000 years ago, the island was connected to the mainland. This happened during the Last Glacial Maximum when sea levels were lower. As sea levels rose 7,000 years ago, the island became separated. This process created the many small islands that surround the coast today. These islands and the main landmass continue to form a unique ecosystem.