Green Party Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons has welcomed today's announcement to create New Zealand's fourteenth national park on Stewart Island.

The Rakiura national park will cover around 85 per cent of Stewart Island's area and will include some of New Zealand's most valuable and diverse natural environment.

"The Greens are delighted that the outstanding conservation values of Stewart Island have been fully acknowledged and that the need to protect this beautiful place has been recognised," said Ms Fitzsimons.

"A great deal of consultation has occurred to find boundaries that are acceptable to those who live on the island.

"The Greens congratulate the Government, the Stewart Island community, Rakiura iwi, the New Zealand Conservation Authority, the previous Minister Nick Smith who began the process and especially Conservation Minister Sandra Lee for finding a way to make this national park work well for everyone."

Ms Fitzsimons said the new national park would be a huge asset for every New Zealander to enjoy.

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