New Auckland flight boosts tourism numbers for Stewart Island

Saturday, December 28, 2019

A direct flight from Auckland is an indicator that more people are discovering Stewart Island, with many tourism operators saying that they have been booked out for months.

The new Auckland to Invercargill flight was launched in August, and since then, it has opened up a new clientele of North Island visitors to the island.

Stewart Island Backpackers co-owner Aaron Joy said that the flight had a positive impact on visitor numbers with strong bookings.

Joy said, “There are definitely more New Zealanders visiting the island now that we’ve got the direct flight from Auckland to Invercargill, which means we’re getting more North Island visitors, which is great, but as far as internationals go Europe, Germany and people from the Netherlands [had been common].”

For the backpacker market, a lot of people wanted to go for walks and the inaugural Rakiura Challenge helped build a profile on the island, Joy said.

The Rakiura Challenge Trail Run is a 33kms race held in October and is a popular event for the town held around island’s Great Walk.

Bay Motel co-owner Rhondda Bergman said that they are booked till the middle of January. A bulk of visitors would come in January, February and March.

In 2018, the Raikura Challenge attracted more than 250 participants, and at least 100 supporters to the island.

Stewart Island Community Board chairman Jon Spraggon said that the cruise ships have made the island busier. More than 400 people live in Stewart Island and it is the third largest island in New Zealand.

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