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Stewart Island
Oban
Things to do in Oban
Rakiura Jade
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Rakiura Jade

See all things to do
See all things to do
Rakiura Jade
3.5
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
10 within 5 kms
Church Hill Restaurant
350
0.3 km$$$$ • Seafood • New Zealand • Vegetarian Friendly
KaiKart Takeaways
432
0.1 km$ • Quick Bites • Seafood • Fast food
South Sea Hotel dining room and pub
580
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Seafood • Pub
Fin And Feather Eatery
29
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Healthy • New Zealand • Vegetarian Friendly
Oban Four Square
22
0.2 km$ • Speciality Food Market • Cafe • New Zealand
The Snuggery
4
0.1 kmNew Zealand
The Perfect Dinner
2
0.5 kmNew Zealand
Just Cafe Stewart Island
14
3.1 km$ • Cafe • Deli • Healthy
Base Camp Food Over Fire
0.3 kmInternational • New Zealand
The Old Butchershop Café
0.3 km
See all
Attractions
10 within 10 kms
Rakiura Museum
110
0.3 kmSpeciality Museums
Rakiura National Visitor Centre DOC Office
59
0.3 kmVisitor Centres
Ulva Island Ferry & Water Taxi
74
0.8 kmFerries
Ulva Island
704
3 kmIslands
Moturau Moana Native Gardens
8
1.1 kmNature & Wildlife Areas
Rakiura Track
85
4 kmHiking Trails
Dead Man Beach
4
3.1 kmBeaches • Hiking Trails
Ryan's Creek Track
2
3.1 kmHiking Trails
Fern Gully Trail
3
Hiking Trails
Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve
3 kmBodies of Water
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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3.5
29 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
1
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
8
Nína L
2 contributions
A very special experience
Sep 2023 • Friends
A very unique and special experience.

We extended our time on Rakiura to attend this workshop after meeting Dave at the pub and we are so so glad we did this.

It was a very rewarding experience. To have the opportunity to make something so special in a half day with someone as experienced and talented as Dave still blows my mind. I will keep the pendant forever.

If you respect Dave’s time and space he will repay this ten fold with great guidance, insight, humour and wonderful stories from his broad career.

Special mention to Whero, Dave’s wee dog who is a very lovely addition to the experience and is unbelievably cute.
Written 24 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheila W
1 contribution
I have made a new account to write this 1 star review. Do not go.
Nov 2022 • Solo
I have made a trip advisor account to write this review. I have not written a review before and making an exception because bad experience.
David is a rude man asking me where I am from I thought what does this have to do with carving swearing at customers complaining people taking photo of his private carvings that are on his display negative attitude.
Now I write the review I see plenty of 1 star reviewers wish somebody said this to me before. Very horrible man my hard earned money gone.
Written 9 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John Grimshaw
1 contribution
Rude attitude really makes you not want to support independent businesses
Feb 2023
Obviously Dave is a talented man for being able to make these carvings however, he has an extremely rude manner about him. It is $200 for the workshop which is from 10am-3pm, so that is 6 hours of being in his negative and pessimistic presence. I usually love supporting small independent businesses and local trade however for what the experience has otherwise spend that at a corporate!!
Written 28 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth J
1 contribution
Stay away
Feb 2023 • Couples
Dave was rude being fanatic about people taking photos. He welcomes any visitors with an aggressive “where do you come from” question and that is followed with racism against all sort of countries (he hates Europeans, Germans, etc.). So Dave, was chased us blaming, cursing and swerving naming me “c*unt” so you should really avoid that horrible place.
Written 27 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zoepmc
31 contributions
Not vaxxed, doesn't mask
Sep 2022 • Solo
Owner very friendly and conversational. Workshop looks cool, carving probably and awesome experience (I didn't have time to try it myself, sadly). But owner proud of unvaccinated status and thinks masks harm your immune system. For me, that's a no-go. Your mileage may vary.
Written 21 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bengrnz
Queenstown, New Zealand16 contributions
Good way to spend a day if the weather is average
Dec 2021 • Couples
Good experience, really enjoyed making our own necklaces, Dave was fantastic and we are happy with our items
Recommended as an activity, and you can squeeze it in if taking the 330pm ferry off the island - or even for a visit to view the gallery if not doing the workshop
Written 18 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nzp0ppy
Nelson-Tasman Region, New Zealand23,568 contributions
Made it myself, but Dave is very judgemental
May 2021
Mixed feelings. Absolutely love my pendant I made and have much pride. Have worn it with pride. But the experience could have been better. I feel it is totally disrespectful to judge people based on where they live. For such a cultural person I was shocked by Daves attitude to those from certain regions of NZ. And the way he judged and swore at people. So my first advice is dont be surprised by Daves rudeness and if he asks where you are from - well its none of his business really.
However, it does appear he has a heart of gold under his gruff exterior. The process of making my jade pendant was great and i am proud of the end result.
Written 13 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James G
Oamaru, New Zealand250 contributions
Great way to take home a tangible memory from Stewart Island
Sep 2020
After a gruelling hike from Mason Bay to Freshwater River early in our stay on Stewart Island, we were up for a less strenuous activity and signed up for Dave's workshop to make ourselves a piece of pounamu. From start to finish we were enthralled, from picking out our stone to coming up with a design to shaping it into the final product. I have absolutely no artistic skills whatsoever but managed to come up with a piece that I am very happy to wear and that will always bear a special meaning for having been made by me (with Dave's help...) during a fantastic holiday on Stewart Island. Very worthwhile!
Written 25 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheMace5
Wellington, New Zealand18 contributions
Interesting visit
Sep 2020 • Family
We had a great visit to Rakiura Jade. Dave was so knowledgeable and we were very happy with our purchases.
Written 21 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BruceTTL
Te Kuiti7 contributions
Made our Rakiura visit extra special
Jun 2020 • Couples
We made a spontaneous decision to spend a day with Dave creating something special and learning about pounamu, and loved it. Dave doesn’t suffer fools, but is a patient teacher and an interesting character. We learnt a lot, and will leave Stewart Island feeling all the more enriched.
Written 27 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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RAKIURA JADE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Rakiura Jade