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Story: Stewart Island/Rakiura

Aurora australis from Stewart Island

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Aurora australis from Stewart Island

Stewart Island is located at 47° south, an excellent place from which to see the southern lights – the aurora australis. Stewart Island’s Māori name, Rakiura, translates as ‘glowing skies’.

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by Andrew Gannon

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How to cite this page

Carl Walrond, Stewart Island/Rakiura – New Zealand’s third main island, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/37615/aurora-australis-from-stewart-island (accessed 20 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 30 November 2012, updated 1 May 2015.