Rakiura

Although there was some logging activity on Rakiura between 1860 and 1930, it was mostly confined to the area around Half Moon Bay and Paterson Inlet so that the majority of Rakiura Island still supports intact native forest.

Rakiura Island temperate forests 2008

As a result, bird populations on Rakiura fared much better than those on the neighboring South Island, and flightless birds like the Stewart Island kiwi (Apteryx australis lawryi) are still found here.

Rakiura Island temperate forests 2008

Rakiura, also known as Stewart Island, lies about 25 kilometers (km) south of the South Island of New Zealand.

Rakiura Island temperate forests 2008

The New Zealand government is currently considering a proposal to turn much of Rakiura into a National Park, to unify the present mosaic of land management activities and give Rakiura a higher public profile.

Rakiura Island temperate forests 2008

The Stewart Island shag (Phalacrocorax chalconotus VU) is found on Rakiura and the southeastern region of South Island.

Rakiura Island temperate forests 2008

There are few endemic plant species on Rakiura, and the island is more notable for the species that are not found here despite being common in similar habitats on mainland New Zealand.

Rakiura Island temperate forests 2008

Some of the smaller islands surrounding Rakiura are also protected and serve as refuges for highly endangered species such as the kakapo and the South Island subspecies of saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus carunculatus), which was nearly extirpated from Rakiura by the arrival of rats.

Rakiura Island temperate forests 2008

This ecoregion also includes the Snares Islands, a 3.3 km2 island group located 105 km southwest of Rakiura.

Rakiura Island temperate forests 2008

Extant endemics on Rakiura and its offshore islets include subspecies of southern robin (Petroica australis rakiura), weka (Gallirallus australis scotti), and fernbird (Bowdleria punctata stewartiana), as well as a leaf-veined slug, a Paryphanta spp., and the harlequin gecko (Hoplodactylus nebulosis).

Rakiura Island temperate forests 2008

In 2002, 85 percent of the island was designated as Rakiura National Park, named for an indigenous Maori word meaning "Land of the Glowing Skies."

The Seattle Times 2011