Te Punga o Te Waka a Maui, the original Maori name, positions Stewart Island firmly at the heart of Maori mythology. Translated as "The Anchor Stone of Maui's Canoe", it refers to the part played by this Island in the legend of Maui and his crew, who from their canoe (the South Island) caught and raised the great fish, (the North Island). 

In 1809 the 'Pegasus', sailing from Port Jackson, Australia, on a sealing expedition had aboard as first officer, William Stewart. While the boat was in the large south eastern harbour (which now bears its name: 'Pegasus') William Stewart began charting the southern coasts. His work is acknowledged by the Island's present name. 

Stewart Island anchors more then Maui's canoe. In its rocks, rivers, and rugged shores, and in its profusion of plants and animals, it anchors the hope of generations unborn that places like this will always exist. 

Early in the 19th century explorers, sealers, missionaries, miners and settlers from all corners of the world made their mark on the island. Marriage with local Maori women created strong family and cultural links to Rakiura. Followed by Saw millers, boat builders, fisherman and whalers from Norway

Today, little remains of those wider, scattered settlements and the enterprises which fostered their establishments. Fishing, aquaculture, tourism and conservation are the main pursuits which now support the islands population of 390 people. This affirms the natural attributes of the island, qualities that attracted Maori and Europeans to its shores.

Stewart Island/Rakiura is a 20 minute flight from Invercargill or an hour by ferry from Bluff. The settlement of Halfmoon Bay has a general store, Department of Conservation visitor centre and a variety of accommodation including hotel, motel, lodge and backpacker accommodation.

Stewart Island offers a number of activities: walking. fishing, hunting, diving and bird watching to name a few.

There are a variety of tracks suitable for day walks from 15 minutes each way to 7 hours return. 

Fishing has been part of life on Stewart Island from the days of the earliest Maori occupation. Today, blue cod, crayfish and paua fisheries operate under the quota management system with catches strictly controlled. Salmon and green lipped mussels are farmed in Paterson Inlet.

Stewart Island offers hunters the only readily accessible herd of Virginian Whitetail deer in the Southern Hemisphere and is therefore a popular destination for deer hunters.

Whether you free dive or SCUBA, the tall bladder kelp, which is unique to the island, rises from rocky reefs to the surface like an underwater forest and is the home for a myriad of fish, large and small, and of many species. A large variety of crustaceans and molluscs can also be found inhabiting the reef and sandy bottom areas.

Stewart Island offers some of the best land and sea birding in New Zealand. Bird watchers come from all over the world to enjoy our birds. Largely unmodified, the Island provides excellent habitat and food for native birds. Unlike other areas of New Zealand, it has not suffered the introduction of mustelids. The sea surrounding the Island is rich in food and attractive to a large number of seabirds. 

Ulva Island is a jewel in the crown offering a predator-free environment for rare and endangered birds including South Island saddleback, mohua, rifleman, Stewart Island robin.