Sources · Destination Guide
Stewart Island Rakiura New Zealand
Cold-water kelp forests, a no-take marine reserve, and Great Walk wilderness in New Zealand's Deep South
Updated Feb 13, 2026 • 21 sources
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Research Sources
Destination Guide Sources For Stewart Island / Rakiura
Reference links used to build and maintain this guide.
21 sources • Updated Feb 13, 2026
Written by DiveJourney. Built from public sources and local operator knowledge. Last updated Feb 13, 2026.
- Department of Conservation: Ulva Island / Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve - Marine reserve overview, ecology, and protection status
- Department of Conservation: Ulva Island Marine Reserve boundaries (PDF) - Boundary map and key 'no take' rules; notes that boundaries are not marked
- Department of Conservation: Rakiura Track (Great Walk) - Track description, distances, mud notes, and hut/campsite fees and booking rules
- RealNZ: Stewart Island ferry services - Ferry operator info and luggage guidance
- RealNZ: Stewart Island ferry services FAQ (ATM note) - Notes limited cash access and ATM constraints in Oban
- Stewart Island Flights: Baggage policy - Small-plane baggage limits and check-in guidance
- Southland District Council: Stewart Island/Rakiura visitor levy - Who pays, exemptions, and how the levy is administered
- Southland District Council: Visitor levy schedule of fees (PDF) - Current levy amounts (inbound/outbound fees) from Oct 2025 schedule
- Immigration New Zealand: International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) - Official IVL information and applicability
- MBIE: IVL information portal - Government overview of the IVL program
- MetService: Stewart Island rural forecast - Weather planning reference for wind, rain, and fronts
- Dive Rakiura: snorkeling and freediving tours - Operator details for guided snorkel/freedive logistics and exposure gear
- Rakiura Charters: water taxi and diver transport - Charter and water taxi options; notes limited on-island scuba hire infrastructure
- Healthpoint: Stewart Island Medical Service - Local medical service contact details and hours
- New Zealand Underwater Association: dive emergency information - Diver Emergency Service (DES) hotline details
- Info.health.nz: Hyperbaric Medicine Unit (Canterbury) - Hyperbaric medicine service information and contact details
- Te Ara Encyclopedia: Titi (muttonbirding) season - Cultural season dates for titi harvest
- DOC: Fiordland crested penguin (tawaki) - Breeding season timing and wildlife context
- Ministry for Primary Industries: Southern right whale distribution (PDF) - General season context for southern right whales (May to October calving window)
- Rakiura Challenge - Annual trail running event timing
- Destination hero photo by Sébastien Goldberg - Photographer profile: https://unsplash.com/@sebastiengoldberg