Stewart Island

New Zealand's third largest island, 30 km south of the South Island

Stewart Island (Māori: Rakiura, lit. 'glowing skies', officially Stewart Island / Rakiura) is an island of New Zealand which is part of Southland. It is the country's third largest island and is located south of the South Island, across the Foveaux Strait. The island's only town is Oban, which is on Halfmoon Bay.

Stewart Island / Rakiura
Native name:
Rakiura  (Māori)
Geography
LocationFoveaux Strait
Coordinates47°00′S 167°50′E / 47.00°S 167.84°E / -47.00; 167.84
ArchipelagoNew Zealand archipelago
Area1,747.74 km2 (674.81 sq mi)
Highest elevation980 m (3220 ft)
Highest pointMount Anglem
Administration
ElectoratesInvercargill (general)
Te Tai Tonga (Māori)
MPsPenny Simmonds (National)
Rino Tirikatene (Labour)
Local Government
Regional CouncilEnvironment Southland
Largest settlementOban
Territorial authoritySouthland District
Community BoardStewart Island/Rakiura Community Board[1]
Demographics
Population440 (June 2022)[2]
Pop. density0.25/km2 (0.65/sq mi)

The economy of Stewart Island is mostly based on fishing and summer tourism, because in the winter it gets very cold on the island. The island can be accessed by boat or by plane. Ryan's Creek Aerodrome is the only airport on the island and offers direct flights to and from Invercargill Airport with Stewart Island Flights and to and from Queenstown Airport with Glenorchy Air. Ferries connect the island to the town of Bluff on the South Island.

References

change
  1. "Stewart Island/Rakiura Community Board". Southland District Council. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  2. "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2022.