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Story: National parks

Opening Rakiura National Park

The newest national park, Rakiura, was opened in 2000, and protects Stewart Island’s diverse natural landscapes. The prime minister, Helen Clark, and Sir Edmund Hillary walk through the park entrance at the opening ceremony. The entrance symbolises an anchor chain, and recalls the story of how the demigod Māui fished up the North Island, using the South Island as a canoe. He anchored the canoe to Rakiura (Stewart Island).

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How to cite this page:

Nancy Swarbrick. 'National parks', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 25-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/national-parks/8/4