https://www.rakiuraholiday.com/bestbits daily 0.75 2026-03-31 https://www.rakiuraholiday.com/bestbits/island-wellbeing-the-benefit-of-forest-bathing monthly 0.5 2026-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67f885791bfc7d22c164552a/1774488855715-GEG8TTC8Y56GCFAM4VMA/Peterson+Hill+Track The Best Bits - Island wellbeing - the benefit of forest bathing - Make it stand out The start of Petersons Hill Track https://www.rakiuraholiday.com/bestbits/booking-activities-on-stewart-island monthly 0.5 2026-03-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67f885791bfc7d22c164552a/8cba4f4d-9309-4896-87d0-9d554448b717/Little+River The Best Bits - What to book on Stewart Island - Make it stand out Little River, Rakiura Track, Stewart Island https://www.rakiuraholiday.com/bestbits/winter-on-the-island-yes-please monthly 0.5 2026-03-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67f885791bfc7d22c164552a/e4fdf7e8-452f-481e-b0bc-574d5b3e3d10/an+aurora+over+Paterson+Inlet The Best Bits - Winter on the Island? Yes, Please! - Make it stand out An aurora over Paterson Inlet © H Darling https://www.rakiuraholiday.com/bestbits/what-should-you-pack-for-stewart-island monthly 0.5 2026-03-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67f885791bfc7d22c164552a/3f4073fd-092c-41ee-83b0-eff8f96ba638/Suitcase+stuffed+with+clothing The Best Bits - What should you pack for Stewart Island? - Make it stand out A suitcase stuffed with clothing https://www.rakiuraholiday.com/bestbits/kaka-versus-kea monthly 0.5 2026-03-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67f885791bfc7d22c164552a/06d399af-87bf-4de9-8961-05dbb99b9677/Kea+Homer+Tunnerl1+1-1.jpg The Best Bits - What’s the difference between a kākā and a kea? - Make it stand out Coming in to land, kea, Fiordland NZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67f885791bfc7d22c164552a/b3fde13c-6beb-419c-bfb2-750d6faec660/Kaka The Best Bits - What’s the difference between a kākā and a kea? The Forest’s Storyteller By contrast, the kākā (Nestor meridionalis) is the forest-dwelling relative, found in both the North and South Islands. With their warm olive and russet plumage and a fondness for nectar, fruit, and insects, kākā play an important ecological role as pollinators and seed dispersers. Kākā are highly social, often heard before they’re seen, filling the forest with harsh calls, whistles, and chatter. In places like Rakiura Stewart Island, they have a lively and much-loved presence, often in noisy, chattering flocks. On occasion one will ‘drop in’ on a house (or picnic) but don’t be fooled, these loveable birds do not need to be fed (in fact, that is frowned upon as it causes dependence, can spread disease among the birds and can cause physiological problems). The tell-tale sign of kākā being present can be found in the forest of Ulva Island where old trees have been dismantled by the sharp beak of the bird. Come to Rakiura Stewart Island and get up close to one of these incredible birds. (Photo credit: Helen Darling) https://www.rakiuraholiday.com/bestbits/where-to-see-kiwi monthly 0.5 2026-03-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67f885791bfc7d22c164552a/a8fe10d3-afd6-48d2-9015-4b97d889cf80/448145-kiwi-stewart-island-southland-new-zealand-credit-great-south-7-web-optimised-1280px-webp.webp The Best Bits - Where can I see a kiwi? - Make it stand out Stewart Island Tokoeka, photo credit: Great South https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67f885791bfc7d22c164552a/ef4568e2-9da9-4057-ae87-d131398f1aaf/455440-stewart-island-southland-new-zealand-credit-great-south-41-web-optimised-1280px-webp.webp The Best Bits - Where can I see a kiwi? In the wild. It is not an understatement to say that your first encounter with a kiwi, in the wild, will change you. We are yet to meet someone who was unmoved by crossing the path of a kiwi and some of the best viewing places are here, on Rakiura Stewart Island. While the kiwi is generally considered a nocturnal bird, the Rakiura Tokoeka or Stewart Island brown kiwi, can often be seen feeding during the day (particularly at dusk or dawn). The island has a large number of kiwi (estimated at around 20,000) which makes the chances of seeing a bird quite good – given the right circumstances. We have recommendations for going out kiwi spotting and thoroughly recommend taking a guided tour (for example, Ulvas Guided Walks, Beaks and Feathers) as the locals really do know the good ‘spots’. It is also possible, but not as likely, that you may encounter a kiwi during the day on Ulva Island – if you are lucky enough to encounter a bird, stay still and enjoy watching it’s behaviour until it has waddled back into the undergrowth. Further north there are places where you can also potentially see birds in the wild. For example, Kapiti Island Nature Reserve or Trounson Kauri Park and in these locations you will need to organize a guided night walk. (Photo credit: Great South) https://www.rakiuraholiday.com/bestbits/island-photography monthly 0.5 2026-03-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67f885791bfc7d22c164552a/520630ba-3e40-464b-b8fa-1f4d1f9d36ce/EmptyName+2+2.jpg The Best Bits - Island Photography - Make it stand out Kakariki, Ulva Island. Photo credit: Helen Darling https://www.rakiuraholiday.com/bestbits/getting-to-stewart-island monthly 0.5 2026-03-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67f885791bfc7d22c164552a/1755378600592-W45EVLBS2R6XHEA7OP0B/florence-hill-lookout-southland-new-zealand-credit-liz-carlson.jpg The Best Bits - Getting to Stewart Island - Make it stand out The view from Florence Hill Lookout, photo credit: Liz Carlson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67f885791bfc7d22c164552a/31236d33-0288-4be2-a595-6ca86c917cb9/450656-stirling-point-southland-new-zealand-credit-chris-mclennan-5.jpg The Best Bits - Getting to Stewart Island - Make it stand out Stirling Point, photo credit Chris McLennan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67f885791bfc7d22c164552a/b6b20c50-513c-43fe-a62b-6e07b9954b03/455035-gemstone-beach-southland-new-zealand-credit-liz-carlson-5.jpg The Best Bits - Getting to Stewart Island - Make it stand out Gemstone Beach, photo credit Liz Carlson 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