Stewart Island - Kiwi
Just 20 minutes from Invercargill's airport, Stewart Island is the final frontier for people who love to wander in the wilderness. Most of the island is within the boundaries of Rakiura National Park, which has around 245 kilometres of hiking tracks and trails. Oban, also called Halfmoon Bay, is the island’s only settlement. Photo credit Rob Brown.
Paterson Inlet is a good place to see a variety of wading birds such as New Zealand dotterels, oyster catchers, herons and godwits. Halfmoon Bay rock pools are a good place to study the intertidal life.
Wildlife highlights: Stewart Island kiwi (Or tokoeka) are a distinct species from their mainland cousins, and Stewart Island is the easiest place to see them in the wild. This is mainly due to their unusual habits such as feeding during daylight hours and living in family groups. It is thought that there are as many as 20,000 Stewart Island kiwi roaming the island.
There are also kakariki, tomtit, weka, robin, kereru, tui, bellbird, fernbird and a healthy population of South Island kaka.
Kakapo
Stewart Island was also the final stronghold for the critically endangered kakapo, which was functionally extinct on the mainland and down to just 50-60 birds on Stewart Island. The surviving birds were relocated to nearby Whenua Hou, or Codfish Island. It is not usually possible to visit the kakapo as, although their number have just reached 100+ (February 2009) they are still highly protected.
Other birds: There are 5 varieties of penguin, 9 albatross species, and a huge variety of other birds that can be found on and around Stewart Island.
Alien pests: White-tailed and red deer, cats, possums and rats were all introduced and, although can be a nice sight, are all detrimental to the native flora and fauna of the island
How to get there: There are regular ferries from Bluff, from where buses connect to and from Invercargill.
There are also flights every day from Invercargill.
Accommodation: There are places to stay on the island, hotels, motels and lodges.
The weather: The weather isn't as bad as you might think for somewhere so far south, but cold/wet/wind can happen at any time so make sure you have suitable clothing.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
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