Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
The Boatshed, Waterfront near Akaroa’s Main Wharf:
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. For the most part they 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.
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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
Originally from the UK, David moved to New Zealand with his family in 2002. With a passion for nature, wildlife and conservation, and a Masters degree in marine science at University of Otago, David is now finishing a PhD project on the recovery of a population of southern right whale.
Port Ross, located down south 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 last 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.
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 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, shipwrecks, coast watching and farming. Copies of her new history book, ‘Trial of Strength: Adventures and Misadventures on the Wild and Remote Sub Antarctic Islands’ (Exile Publishing), will be available for sale on the night.
Shona’s book will be available to purchase at this event for $40.
Gold coin entry.
