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Story: Stewart Island/Rakiura

Crown purchase of Stewart Island

The crown bought Stewart Island/Rakiura from its Ngāi Tahu owners in 1865. The deed of sale includes a map and the signatures of the sellers.

Using this item

Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: LE1 1785 111 1872/132 9

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

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How to cite this page

Carl Walrond, Stewart Island/Rakiura – History and society since the 1850s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/37633/crown-purchase-of-stewart-island (accessed 25 June 2026).

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