Heartland - Stewart Island

Why this bay originally was a settlement, you had deep water, a good, clean bay to come up to, and fresh water coming out of the hill. So that was your main ingredients for settlement.

– Stewart Island resident Peggy Wilson on the island’s Half Moon Bay

There’s a very strong network here which supports the mother through those early years. And with fathers away at sea for extended periods, it’s very necessary to have the support in the community. You have to be a strong person to live here.

– Playcentre supervisor Lesley McGrath on Stewart Island's supportive community

You’re living in a crime-free environment here. You don’t lock your house when you go out — you don’t have to lock your house. It won’t be burgled when you get back.

– Stewart Island resident Harry Slingby on the safety of the island

I suppose it’s a bit like if you were having a bed and breakfast in the Sistine Chapel — Michelangelo would be pretty dull stuff. And that’s basically what we’re doing here, we’re actually living in that sort of tremendous beauty . . . I think a lot of people... don’t really see it because they see it all the time.

– Ron Tindall on the natural beauty of Stewart Island

It’s truly New Zealand — the way we were.

– Presenter Gary McCormick on Stewart Island