Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today that a popular short walk on Rakiura/Stewart Island has been renamed in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
“To honour Her Majesty’s long reign, the track to Observation Rock from the settlement of Oban, will be formally renamed the ‘Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Path’ and known as the ‘Platinum Path’ for short,” Jacinda Ardern said.
Observation Rock Track was the old name for the 58-meter track. Observation Rock is a great site to watch the Aurora Australis – the Southern Lights – when the night sky is clear..
“The viewing area at Observation Rock is on everyone’s ‘must do’ list and most people who visit Rakiura/Stewart Island, go there for the great views into Paterson Inlet.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) will signpost the short route that leads through rata woodland from the entry off Excelsior Road. In the long run, signage in Halfmoon Bay will be updated to reflect the new name.
‘I’m told, that since the Halfmoon Bay community has been doing pest control, the birdlife has come back with a vengeance including kiwi and kākā.
“Our environment is hugely important to New Zealanders so this name change is a fitting and heartfelt tribute.”
Observation Rock’s observation area is also being improved. This is a multi-agency and iwi initiative that will begin soon and be completed in early 2023.
The International Dark Sky Association named Rakiura/Stewart Island as a Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2019 to highlight the spectacular natural nightscape with low levels of light pollution.
The Platinum Path is the second initiative to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s 70th year in power.
“The Queen supports conservation initiatives, particularly sustainable planting, so to mark the Jubilee, we are also embarking on a national tree planting project for 100,000 native trees across 14 native restoration projects around New Zealand. These plantings will improve existing projects and accelerate the rate of restoration and enhance carbon storage,” Jacinda Ardern said.