Rakiura : The Wilderness of Stewart Island

Stewart Island, or Rakiura, is one of New Zealand's special places - an island whose remote atmosphere and character is cherished by many people worldwide.

In 2002 most of the Island was gazetted as New Zealand's fourteenth national park and Rakiura - The Wilderness of Stewart Island celebrates all of its remarkable beauty with a stunning collection of photography by Rob Brown.

Rakiura features over 80 large format photographs of Stewart Island's extraordinary and distinctive landscape.

These range from the windswept granite peaks and outcrops around the southern harbour of Port Pegasus, the huge sweep of sand dunes behind Mason Bay, the cliffs and islands around its rugged, weather-beaten coastline, the primeval podocarp forest and windswept manuka, and the abundant wildlife, including species such as great spotted kiwi and kakapo.

The photographs are supported by thematically arranged essays on stone, forest and sand, as well as an introduction which provides an historical overview of Stewart Island beginning with Maori settlement, whaling, failed farming attempts and the challenges of preserving its flora and fauna.

There are also notes for trampers. These photographs are the fruit of Rob Brown's 10 year love affair with Stewart Island, and they evocatively convey so much of its mood and character.

This is true 'wilderness' photography in every sense of the word, hard-won by the author on many ardous trips, laden with large-format camera gear, through Stewart Island's infamous mud and rain.

Rob Brown's large format photography is of exquisite quality, and in Rakiura it is presented to the highest standard.

Stewart Island is a precious refuge from an overcrowded and pressured world and this book is a stunning memento both for those who have visited this beautiful place, and also for those who are simply comforted by the knowledge that such a place exists.