Feature - Akaroa Seaweek - Feb 2019

NZ ASSOCIATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Akaroa Seaweek 2 – 10 March 2019 nd

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Another exciting Seaweek programme for Akaroa | Care for our Seas - ‘Tiakina otatou Moana’

Saturday 2nd March and Saturday 9th March: Recreational Fishing Information Trailer Ministry for Primary Industries Recreational Fishing Information Trailer will be on the waterfront near the main wharf from 10am to mid-afternoon. A good opportunity to check on bag limits, legal fish sizes, restricted areas, marine mammal safety and much more.

Saturday 2 March 5pm in The Courthouse, Akaroa Museum: nd

Poetry and Peril on Banks Peninsula’s wild coastline The wild seas around Banks Peninsula have claimed lives and inspired poets. The history students at Akaroa Area School will stage a multi-media presentation that brings to life 175 years of shipwrecks around this rocky coast, and season it with a sprinkling of Denis Glover’s nautical poetry. Hear first-hand about the experience from a local shipwreck survivor- John Wright.

Gold coin entry goes towards the Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust. Spot prizes.

Saturday 9th March 5pm at The Boatshed, Waterfront near Akaroa’s Main Wharf: Auckland Islands in the Sub-Antarctic Group – three perspectives: 1) John Rogers, Auckland Islands historian, enthusiast and expedition staff member to Antarctica: The Auckland Islands – the human history of a remote wilderness: The Auckland Islands are a windswept isolated wilderness in the great Southern Ocean home to whales, sea lions and seabirds and tales of shipwreck survivors forced to battle harsh conditions- John tells their story.

2) David Johnston PhD candidate at the University of Otago Marine Science Department.

Sentinels of the Southern Ocean: southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) as indicators of oceanic productivity.

David speaks about the recovery of a population of southern right whale. A fascinating story of how in the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands, the right whale population is beginning to recover and advances in drone technology are helping us find out more.

3) Shona Riddell, Wellington-based author of 2018 book “Trial of Strength” Adventures and Misadventures on the Wild and Remote Sub Antarctic Islands by Exile Publishing.

Islands of Despair: The Dramatic History of the Auckland Islands.

In 1849, 60 men, women and children sailed from Britain to live on the wild, isolated Auckland Islands as part of an ultimately doomed whaling settlement called Hardwicke. Wellington author Shona Riddell’s great-great grandmother was born at Hardwicke, and Shona recounts stories of her ancestors and some of her own journey to this remote place. Shona’s book will be available to purchase at this event for $40. Gold coin entry goes towards the Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust. Spot prizes.

Seaweek exclusive:

Akaroa Dolphins Harbour Cruise 25% off

Receive an Akaroa Dolphins Harbour Nature Cruise every day during Seaweek - on the 3.15pm tour when booking directly by phone of in store quoting Seaweek19.

Bookings essential- subject to availability.

Contact Akaroa Dolphins E: cruise@akaroadolphins.co.nz P: 03 3047866

www.akaroa.com/seaweek-akaroa

AKAROA SEAWEEK Saturday, February 23, 2019

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15 Ashburton Guardian 13

Stunning

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Seaweek – why

Whether you’re planning a wedding, conference, team-building exercise, or just a gathering of friends and family, you’re about to discover a very special place.

Tucked into the hills, within walking distance of the beautiful village of Akaroa, Mt Vernon Lodge is your balcony seat for one of the best views in New Zealand, looking straight across the world-famous harbour below.

Set amid green lawns and mature trees and offering absolute peace and

privacy, Mt Vernon Lodge is an oasis of calm in an increasingly-hurried world.

It’s the perfect place to escape – yet it’s located only an hour’s drive from Christchurch.

Mt Vernon Lodge offers a range of character-full accommodation for up to 50 guests, as well as a fullyequipped function and conference room which caters for up to 130 guests.

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not to miss out

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oin us in celebrating Seaweek 2019 in Akaroa and find out more about the maritime history of Banks Peninsula and be fascinated by an in depth look at the remote Auckland Islands in the sub-Antarctic region through the eyes of three experts.

Saturday, March 2, 5pm Courthouse, Akaroa Museum Poetry and Peril on Banks Peninsula’s wild coastline The wild seas around Banks Peninsula have claimed lives and inspired poets.

The history students at Akaroa Area School will stage a multi-media presentation that brings to life 175 years of shipwrecks around this rocky coast, and season it with a sprinkling of Denis Glover’s nautical poetry.

Hear first-hand the story from a local shipwreck survivor – John Wright.

Saturday, March 9, 5pm The Boatshed, Waterfront near Akaroa’s Main Wharf Three personal stories and perspectives about the fascinating and remote Auckland Islands in the sub-Antarctic region. “Í have seen nothing to surpass, or even equal, the grandeur, the savage majesty of its grim storm-beaten sea walls; standing up bold and defiant, sullenly challenging old Ocean to a trial of strength,” New Zealand government representative Henry Armstrong, describing his first impressions of the Auckland Islands during a voyage on the Amherst in 1868 to establish castaway depots and search for shipwreck survivors.

John Rogers, historian, tour guide.

The Human History of a Remote Wilderness For the most part the Auckland Islands are the domain of the whales, see lions and sea birds that call them home. Still, people have had an impact on this place. There have been attempts to settle there, and many shipwreck survivors have been forced

to survive the harsh conditions. This is their story.

David Johnston, PhD candidate at the University of Otago Marine Science Department.

Sentinels of the Southern OceanSouthern Right Whales Port Ross, located in the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands, is one of the primary breeding grounds for the once widespread southern right whale.

This population is now beginning to bounce back post 19th century whaling, which brought these animals to the brink of extinction.

Over the past three years researchers have been using advances in drone technology in order to quantify not only how many whales are there but also the apparent fitness of these animals.

David is now finishing the first of a three-year PhD project on the recovery of a population of southern right whale.

Shona Riddell, Wellington author.

Islands of Despair – The Dramatic History of the Auckland Islands In 1849, 60 men, women and children sailed from Britain to live on the wild, isolated Auckland Islands as part of an ultimately doomed whaling settlement called Hardwicke.

Wellington author Shona Riddell’s great-great grandmother was born at Hardwicke, and in 2016 Shona sailed south over stormy seas to visit her ancestor’s remote birthplace.

In her talk Shona will share her family’s story and talk about her own journey to the islands, as well as some of the islands’ other incredible history, including sealing, coast watching and farming.

Copies of her new book – Trial of Strength: Adventures and Misadventures on the Wild and Remote Subantarctic Islands, will be available for sale on the night.

All the details of events can be found on: www.seaweek.org.nz and www. akaroa.com/seaweek-akaroa

A magical hideaway in the heart of Akaroa, Mt Vernon Lodge offers a spectacular location for your wedding day.

At Mt Vernon Lodge you can have an unforgettable ceremony, a custom-designed reception, and stylish accommodation for you and your guests, all in the one place.

Set on six hectares of manicured lawns and mature trees coupled with amazing views over the Akaroa harbour, and along with our great facilities, Mt Vernon Lodge is the only choice for your special day.

Contact David & Amanda Kinnaird | 33 Purple Peak Road, Akaroa 03 304 7180 | info@mtvernon.co.nz | www.mtvernon.co.nz