Auckland Festival of Photography Trust In association with presenting partner, Katalyst Productions, is pleased to screen a series of ‘Believe’ [whakapono] themed shorts, a reflection of society’s philosophical, ideological, religious or political beliefs. Emmy award-winning New Zealand documentary filmmaker, Sharron Ward will present her themes as they relate to the belief in the natural world, along with the work of international photographers, multimedia artists and filmmakers.
Believe in Tikapa Moana: Believe in the Hauraki Gulf
In recent years there’s been increasing alarm that the Hauraki Gulf/Tikapa Moana is ecologically collapsing. With scallop-beds collapsed, bottom trawling by commercial fishers, sedimentation 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 are 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 Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Bill currently going through the Parliamentary process, that would nearly triple protection in the Gulf, by creating a number of High Protection Areas and an extension of No Take or Marine Reserve zones, like the Goat Island Marine Reserve/Te Hawere-a-Maki."
Seeing is believing in the degradation of the Gulf and the contrast that Marine Reserves show in restoring the mauri of Tikapa Moana. Her documentary explores the Goat Island Marine Reserve/Te Hawere-a-Maki as seen through the eyes of Lorna Doogan, an advocate of marine protected areas whether they are Marine Reserves, No Take Zones or Rāhui.
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 in the 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.
The Reel Narratives presentation includes 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"
Plus 'Odra' by Mikolaj Nowacki, Poland, originally shown at the 2015 Festival. Duration 3'30".
Viewing time approx 22 minutes whilst on the central city and waterfront circuit of Festival outdoor activations. Programme subject to change, please check on the day of screening for any update.
Screening hours -
Friday May 31: 17:00 – 20:00
Saturday June 1: 10:30 – 20:00
Sunday June 2: 10:30 – 17:00
Proudly supported by Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate.
Thanks to and supported by Auckland Live.
