Tawharanui crayfish.mov

This is the video blog associated with my October article in the NZ Fishing News. It was shot just before the Tawharanui Marine Park was just about to change it's status to a marine reserve and become NZ's latest MR (the opening was 28th August). There is not much that changes in reality for this MR as it has been a total no take since 1981- the boundaries have changed slightly and now DOC administers it.... the one change that made me want to film this was that there is no feeding of fish and crayfish in a marine reserve, but in a Marine park there is no such rule.... and also Tawharanui has one of the biggest cray populations around, with about 1000 crays per hectare....there are some feisty crays there

Lucas on drums.mov

Filming mission at the Poor Knight Islands

These pics are from a very successful 3 day filming mission at the Poor Knight Islands....visiting these islands should be on the bucket list of every Kiwi. Not only is the topside scenery stunning, but checking out under the surface is as good as it gets!  

Thanks to Dive Tutukaka for all their help!!

Dan Chapman parked up in RikoRiko cave at the Poor Knights Islands

Just to give you an idea of the size of this cave- there's 3 boats in shot and room for plenty more! This is the director of the shoot, Robin Shingleton

From inside the cave

Night diving, with the lights down on the bottom at 13m shining up on the ceiling, the photo doesn't do it justice...it was truly stunning... as was the diving!

One of Dive Tutukakas fleet at the Knights

Grant and Gabriel after a hard day at work : )