Stewart Island - Kiwi Hideaway
Stewart Island, an island off the southernmost part of the South Island of New Zealand, offers the best chance most people will have to see New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi, in its natural environment.
Stewart Island is a special place, originally named Rakiura by Maori (meaning 'Land of the Glowing Skies'). The reason for the name is still obvious today, with lingering sunsets in summer (it is still light in the South Island long after it is pitch black in Auckland).
But it's not just kiwis that can be seen on the island. From Stewart Island visitors can travel to Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary, where there are more than 30 species of birds, including the Stewart Island shag and the rare yellow-eyed penguin. The seas in the area are home to the bottlenose dolphin, New Zealand fur seal and the New Zealand (hooker's) sea lion.
Several companies run walks in the area, and the Rakiura Track is one of the eight Great Walks officially recognised by the Department of Conservation. There are huts to stay in along the way if embarking on the full walk, which is around 29 kilometres (18 miles). The weather on Stewart Island is changeable and it rains 275 out of 365 days a year, so preparation for the walk is essential.
Rakiura National Park on Stewart Island is the newest of New Zealand's 14 national parks. The park, which covers about 157,000 hectares and makes up 85 percent of the island, was opened in March 2002.
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