Oban
Pā nui o Hau (Māori) | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Oban | |
 Overlooking Oban and Halfmoon Bay | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 46°54′S 168°08′E / 46.900°S 168.133°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Southland region |
| Territorial authorities of New Zealand | Southland District |
| Ward | Stewart Island/Rakiura Ward |
| Community | Stewart Island/Rakiura Ward Community |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Southland District Council |
| • Regional council | Southland Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Southland | Rob Scott |
| • Invercargill MP | Penny Simmonds |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.59 km2 (1.00 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2024)[2] | |
• Total | 340 |
| • Density | 130/km2 (340/sq mi) |
Oban is the principal settlement on Stewart Island, the southernmost inhabited island of the New Zealand archipelago. Oban is located on Halfmoon Bay (sometimes used as an alternative name for the town), on Paterson Inlet. It has aircraft connections with Invercargill and a ferry service to Bluff.
The settlement was named after Oban in Scotland,[3] (An t-Òban in Scottish Gaelic, meaning The Little Bay), due to the strong influence Scottish settlers had in the south of early colonial New Zealand.
The island has received a moderate boost of commerce and some millions in government funding since tourism increased markedly after the opening of the Rakiura National Park.[4]
It is possible to see kākā during the day and kiwi during the night in Oban.[5] Efforts have been made to eradicate many of the introduced predators of native birds in Oban, such as stoats and domestic cats, with bigger plans to target possums, three species of rat, as well as hedgehogs.[6][7][8]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Areawas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
- ^ Scottish Place Names Around the World – Fife to Oban (from 'rampantscotland.com'. Accessed 11 October 2008.)
- ^ "Stewart Island gets $5.6m cash boost". The New Zealand Herald. APN Holdings. NZPA. 12 July 2005. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ "I heard you like the wild ones: Stewart Island's native wildlife". NZ Herald. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ Hooper, Laura (10 June 2022). "Stewart Island infested with rats". Stuff. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ Beckham, Allison (12 September 2015). "Pest-free plan has big price tag". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ Steyl, Louisa (30 April 2021). "Jobs for Nature creates 81 new jobs for Southland". Stuff. Retrieved 26 April 2023.