SONGS OF
THE SEA

Stories of the Hauraki Gulf

Most of us can’t remember the former abundance of the Hauraki Gulf, or what has been lost. Songs of the Sea is an innovative new multi-media series that uses archival photography, film and audio to tell personal stories of the Hauraki Gulf’s past abundance, and highlight what has been lost.

Sue Neureuter’s account of growing up visiting the Noises Islands in her holidays, just north of Waiheke is the first of the series. It has been in her family since the 1930’s, and she has witnessed the decline in marine life and seabird population first-hand. Other voices include Keith and Ailsa Lewis, pioneer divers from the 1960s, as well as wisdom from beyond the grave from legendary marine advocate Wade Doak and kaumatua Laly Haddon.

Songs of the Sea aims to inspire a new generation who are tasked with the collective responsibility to be the guardians of one of New Zealand’s most remarkable ecosystems.