Trip members:
Gordon

Giles

For the full Expedition Full report click here. 

Stewart Island
or Rakiura the Maori name for the Island, is New Zealand's third Island. However according to Maori tradition it was the original 'anchor of Maui's Canoe' when he used Stewart Island as an anchor for his canoe 'South Island' to fish up the North Island from the sea. 

Today, Stewart Island is mainly one large nature reserve run by the Department of Conservation. Its population of around 450 live mainly in Oban on the East coast of the Island. The Island has many visitors today mainly to tramp in the wilderness and watch the abundant bird and wildlife. The Kiwi being one of its most famous residents. 

Our aim
is raise funds for Parkinson's Disease and Breast Cancer Research by sea kayaking unsupported around Stewart Island.

We hope to complete the 200km trip within three weeks. This includes getting to New Zealand and transferring to Stewart Island, purchasing the necessary supplies, pre-positioning certain food drops (we couldn't carry three weeks of supplies and once we have left Halfmoon Bay we won't be able to replenish them) and finalising arrangements out there.

Sponsors:
Supplying us with their new 2006 Shearwater Sea kayak. www.q-kayaks.co.nz


Providing Film recording and photography equipment.