ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines Stewart Island’s economic and natural history which serve as the basis for its tourism potential. Tourism has long been recognised as one of the economic development options for the island. Unfortunately, no accurate visitation figures exist for Stewart Island. Stewart Island offers the tourist the opportunity to see large numbers of seabirds, bush birds uncommon on the mainland and a largely unmodified flora, as well as spectacular scenery. The high natural values of Stewart Island have long been one of the key tourist attractions of the island. However, despite its somewhat peripheral location, it should be noted that there has been significant exploitation of the island’s natural resources. The establishment of the Rakiura National Park was cited by central government agencies as providing significant economic development opportunities for Stewart Island. Stewart Island faces the difficulty of balancing conservation and tourism growth issues that face many of the peripheral areas of New Zealand.
