Aucklanders are to be given a rare chance to explore one of the region’s most bewitching and surprising harbours in February/March.

To help launch Seaweek 2009, the Whangateau Harbour Care Group is organising a weekend of discovery activities beginning with a photographic exhibition of the harbour’s outstanding natural values above and below water. Local and internationally renowned photographers, including Darryl Torckler, Roger Grace, Iain Anderson and Karen Williamson are contributing to the exhibition.

One of the weekend’s many highlights will be guided snorkel trips through the harbour’s mangroves. Millions of cockles pump the water crystal clear giving snorkellers stunning looks at shoals of cruising mullet, feeding barnacles and little fish hiding among the tree roots from the big fish trying to eat them.

Also on offer during the weekend will be a guided intertidal walk, kayaking and waka demonstrations, glass bottomed boat trips, a classic boat regatta and a chance to talk to marine experts.

The Whangateau Harbour is one of Auckland’s least spoiled estuaries, with abundant shellfish and a wealth of healthy intertidal habitats and estuarine plants. Impacts from silt and fertiliser run-off have not been severe. With the right weather conditions, the harbour’s water is a pure, clear snorkeller’s paradise.

The Whangateau HarbourCare Group is committed to keeping this very special harbour in the best condition possible for the well-being of wildlife and marine life and for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

The exhibition’s official opening, by Rodney mayor Penny Webster, is an invitation only event because of limited space in the Whangateau Hall.  On Saturday and Sunday residents and visitors are warmly invited to view the exhibition.  Signed prints will be available for purchase at the exhibition.

Event details
Date: February 27 – March 1 2009
Venue: Whangateau Hall and Harbour
How to get there: State Highway 1 to Warkworth, then take the road to Leigh through Matakana.  When you reach the harbour coast look for Whangateau Hall and Domain on your right.

Programme
Saturday 28th February
The photo exhibition and a display of harbour life in the Whangateau Hall 8.30am to 4pm; $2 rides on the glass-bottomed boat and guided snorkelling (gear provided) in the harbour mangroves and channels from 8.30am to 11am; a “sausage sizzle” lunch can be purchased; a guided intertidal ramble around Horseshoe Island looking at some of the harbour’s natural treasures starting about 2.30pm (suitable beach shoes required).

Sunday 1st March
A regatta of classic boats, including a display of strip-cedar canoes; demonstrations of kayak skills by the Canoe and Kayak/Yakity Yak Club and waka paddling by Omaha Outrigger Canoe Club – there may even be the chance to have-a-go at paddling in a waka or kayak.

The photographic exhibition will remain in the Whangateau Hall until 4pm on Sunday 1st March after which the images will be on show in the Tara Poolman Gallery, Matakana. This exhibition will be officially opened on Wednesday 4th March.  The exhibition will travel to other local and regional venues.

Whangateau HarbourCare Group is grateful for the sponsorship and support of the Rodney District Council, Auckland Regional Council, Seaweek and WWF.  Experiencing Marine Reserves and DOC are also supporters of this event.

Full details can be found on the HarbourCare website at www.whangateauharbour.org

Contacts:
Whangateau Harbour Care Group
Roger Grace – gracer@xtra.co.nz
Margaret Simpson – mls@xtra.co.nz
Margaret Earle – mearle@xtra.co.nz

Seaweek
Linda Bercusson (National Co-ordinator) – linda@stylus-comms.co.nz
www.seaweek.org.nz

Filed under: Ali Perkins, Photography, Upcoming Events