In recent years there has been increasing concerns and alarm that the Hauraki Gulf/Tikapa Moana is ecologically collapsing.  With scallop-beds collapsing, and over-fishing by our recreational and commercial fishers who take prize predator fish such as Snapper which results in the prevalence of Kina barrens. Kōura is now “functionally extinct” in the Gulf and Kororā and other seabirds such as the Spotted Shag, are often found starving.

Last breeding season, no Kororā chicks survived in a number of the inner and outer islands of Tikapa Moana. Our resident Bryde’s whales are reportedly ingesting millions of pieces of micro plastic every day, and now we have the invasive and destructive seaweed Caulerpa found around Waiheke, Aotea and Rakino islands amongst other areas, along with reports this past summer of mushy, scrawny snapper. 

Ward says "We protect just 0.3% of this precious Moana across six tiny marine reserves. But there is another way. We can protect the Gulf, we can believe in restoring the mauri of Tikapa Moana and one crucial way is to pass the Haurkai Gulf Marine Protection Bill currently going through the Parliamentary process, that would nearly triple protection in the Gulf from just over 6% to about 18%, including the creation of high-protection areas and extension of no take or marine reserve zones, like the Goat Island Marine Reserve/Te Hawere-a-Maki." 

Her documentary explores the Goat Island Marine Reserve/Te Hawere-a-Maki

Katalyst Productions was founded by Sharron Ward an Emmy, Royal Television Society & BAFTA award-winning filmmaker who has made observational documentaries and investigative films for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 (UK), Al Jazeera & The Guardian amongst others. She is an Auckland based Director/Producer and cinematographer who specialises in films focussed on the climate crisis, conservation and wildlife.

And excerpts of short stories in the 'Believe' theme from the archive of Daylight Media, these include:

Christopher Churchill - Faith (2010) 9'51"

Jodi Bieber - Love in Las Vegas (2010) 4'33"

Auckland Festival of Photography Trust in association with presenting partner, Katalyst Productions, is pleased to screen Believe in Tikapa Moana by award-winning New Zealand documentary maker, Sharron Ward whose pieces relate to the belief in the natural world. Katalyst’s mission is to “make cinematically beautiful films that inform, inspire, educate and advocate for change.”

Ward had this to offer about her contribution to this year’s festival:
"The Hauraki Gulf/Tikapa Moana is facing ecological collapse with scallop beds and kōura disappearing, overfishing decimating predator fish like snapper, leading to Kina barrens. Seabirds like Kororā are starving, Bryde’s whales ingest millions of microplastics daily, and invasive seaweed is spreading. Only 0.3% of the area is protected. But there is another way".

Her documentary explores the Goat Island Marine Reserve/Te Hawere-a-Maki.

Katalyst Productions was founded by Sharron Ward an Emmy, Royal Television Society & BAFTA award-winning filmmaker who has made observational documentaries and investigative films for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 (UK), Al Jazeera & The Guardian amongst others. She is an Auckland based Director/Producer and cinematographer who specialises in films focussed on the climate crisis, conservation and wildlife.

 

And excerpts of short stories in the 'Believe' theme from the archive of Daylight Media, these include:

Duration 5'27" Staley Anderson – Off TheGrid

Duration 3'53" Martin Roemers - Relics of the Cold War

Duration 3'33" Alejandro Cartegena - Suburbia Mexicana

 

Viewing time apporx 22 minutes whilst on the central city and waterfront circuit of Festival outdoor activations.

 

Screening hours

Friday June 7: 17:00 – 20:00

Saturday June 8: 10:30 – 20:00

Sunday June 9: 10:30 – 17:00