Kākā at Glenfern, photo by Stuart Farquhar The island’s environmental trust turns 20 this month and friends and supporters are invited to celebrate its successes at a birthday party at Glenfern Sanctuary. The Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust (formerly the … Read More
From Ōkiwi School to Sundance Film Festival – World premiere screening in Claris on 12 January. The hunt is on for red carpet as the island plays host to the world premiere screening of a short film selected for this … Read More
Aotea Live organiser Roger O’Shannessy and Robyn Grice in their round kitchen There’s plenty of days when Aotea shines, but a couple stand out as real performances. Roger O’Shannessy and Robyn Grice live in a round-roomed, wood-lined house in the … Read More
Aotea rongoā practioner Phoebe Ngawaka, herbalist Fleur Winger and pou for Te Ao Haurongo Char Ngawaka Visitors drawn to the Te Ao Haurongo product display at community market days are tapping into deep island spirit. “It is because of bloodlines,” … Read More
It takes a lot of blood sweat and tears to create Aotea’s big day out. The island’s Wingman Festival returns Saturday January 28 next year and trustee Renee Freeland says the local organisers have doubled down following the success of … Read More
Aotea’s nightlife is remarkable. I’m not talking Thursday open mike nights at the Currach, the sets by local DJs at the clubs or the annual Aotea Live showcase of musical talent. Rather, the island is world famous as a Dark … Read More
Signs say a lot about place. When I return to Auckland after a long spell on the island, I’m aware of the insistence of signage. I can’t help myself from reading them and by the time I get to my … Read More
Micky was hitchhiking from the airport. She told me she hoped to pick up work in bar or restaurant and find a place to live. I dropped her near the church at Medlands (Ōruawharo) and wished her luck. Aotea has … Read More
Visitors to the West Coast bays of Aotea may have noticed they have company. Carved figures or pou appeared shortly after the discovery of exotic Caulerpa brachypus seaweed in island waters as symbols of the concern and care of Ngāti … Read More
Port Chalmers-based, Ireland-born writer Majella Cullinane spent nine weeks in a one-room log cabin on Aotea as part of a writing sabbatical funded through an Auckland Museum Research Grant. The cabin belongs to her partner’s family, who acquired land on … Read More