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New Zealand
> Southland > Stewart Island
History and
Climate
The original Maori name, Te Punga o Te Waka a Maui
positions Stewart Island firmly at the heart of
Maori mythology. Translated as "The Anchorstone of
Maui's Canoe", the Island's land mass held the canoe
secure whilst Maui and his crew caught and raised
the great fish, the North Island.
Rakiura is however the more commonly known and used
Maori name.
In 1809 the Pegasus, sailing from Port Jackson,
Australia, on a sealing expedition had aboard it as
first officer William Stewart. Whilst the boat was
in the large south eastern harbour which now bears
its name Stewart began charting the southern coasts
and his work is acknowledged to this day in the
Island's present name.
From the 19th Century the Island's rich resources of
native flora and bush birds, seafood and that very
special delicacy the Titi (Sooty Shearwater or
Muttonbird), provided a bountiful harvest for Maori.
Early last century explorers, sealers, missionaries,
miners and settlers made their mark on the Island.
Of mostly European extraction they came from all
corners of the earth.
Followed by saw-millers and fishermen the Island's
population grew, stabilised and settled, mainly
around the edges of Paterson inlet and the heads of
Halfmoon and Horseshoe Bays and in shortlived
ventures at Port William, Pegasus and Maori Beach.
In the 1920's new arrivals came from Norway as part
of the Rosshavet whaling enterprise and those who
stayed permanently, added another thread to the
interesting tapestry of nationalities living on
Stewart Island.
Today, little remains of those wider scattered
settlements and the endeavours which fostered their
establishment. Fishing, aquaculture and tourism are
the main pursuits which support the Island's
population of 390 people and its economic life. This
affirms the natural attributes of the island,
qualities which first attracted Maori and European
to its shores.
The Island built its own power scheme in 1988 and a
sewerage scheme now services the main Halfmoon Bay
area. These two developments have greatly improved
life for the permanent resident and visitor and will
benefit the economic growth of the tourism industry
on the Island.
The island community is increasingly aware of its
responsibilities towards safeguarding Stewart
Island's natural assets and balancing this position
of guardianship with entrepreneurial expectations.
Stewart Island offers the visitor a holiday which
will provide experiences for the adventurous or
restore the soul of those wishing to unwind from
stressful lifestyles.
Although
Maori legend describes Stewart Island as the 'Anchor
of Maui's Canoe'. The early Polynesians called the
island 'Rakiura'- 'Land of the Glowing Skies'.
Sunrises &sunsets can be impressive.
The main industry for the population of approx 390
is commercial fishing with tourism following along.
Others choose to live here for the special lifestyle
or own cribs so they can visit regularly.
Climate
Sunshine hours are equal to the national average,
and whilst it may be true that it rains on a higher
number of days in a year, our annual rainfall is
less than that of Auckland. The Islands, rainforest
and wetlands are a glorious testament to our
climatic conditions. In short, without the rain we
could not enjoy the Island's luxuriant bush canopy.
Winters are milder and calmer than the mainland
experiences. Spring, with its bursts of colour and
promise of longer days, is earlier than in the rest
of Southland.
Sometimes the four seasons can be experienced in one
day and as Stewart Island is situated in the
Southern Ocean and not so far from Antarctica, there
are the occasional icy blasting winds.
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