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Story: Stewart Island/Rakiura

Rock shelter, Port Pegasus/Pikihatiti

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Rock shelter, Port Pegasus/Pikihatiti

This rock shelter would have been used by early Māori visitors to Stewart Island/Rakiura, as evidenced by the extent of shell deposits. This early occupation of Stewart Island adds credence to the view that the forebears of Māori ranged the length of New Zealand soon after arriving from their Pacific homeland.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10055781

by Greg Lind

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How to cite this page

Carl Walrond, Stewart Island/Rakiura – History to 1850, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/37628/rock-shelter-port-pegasuspikihatiti (accessed 25 June 2026).

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