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The northern part of the North Island is the most densely populated region of the country. Auckland, the nation’s largest city and often referred to as the ‘City of Sails’, is situated at the narrowest part of the island. The city overlooks the Hauraki Gulf and is the base for a successful yacht building industry. To the north of the Gulf are the Poor Knights Islands, a marine reserve sanctuary where all life is protected. Beneath the ocean we discover the diverse marine life including Orca. Back on land our journey north continues and we fly over the Waipoua Forest consisting almost entirely of majestic Kauri trees. Reaching more than fifty meters high, Kauri can boast trunks more than four meters in circumference. Standing in the midst of the forest we see Tane Mahuta, God of the Forest. As we fly further north we discover the Bay of Islands and the site where in 1840, Maori and British representatives signed the treaty of Waitangi, establishing a British Governor and recognizing Maori ownership of land and their rights as British subjects. Whilst the treaty is generally considered the founding document of New Zealand it is subject to much discussion and is surrounded by interpretation and controversy. We meet a world renowned Luthier who fashions stringed instruments from Kauri and learn about the tonal qualities of the timber. From the forest to the sea we fly above the northern tip of the North Island, Cape Reinga, witnessing from above, the collision of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean. In Maori mythology Reinga is where, the souls of the deceased descend to the underworld on their final journey to the spiritual homeland of Hawaiki.
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A2ZCDS Feature Films
Africa
Australia
