Kapiti - Protecting our seas video

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What you’ll see

This clip opens with shots of Kapiti Island, from the mainland, by boat then from the island itself showing some of the bird species which live there. A series of shots of habitats and species above and below the surface as well as a map then illustrate the continuum of protection here which includes the island, marine reserve and a mainland estuary.

Shots of rough seas are then followed by driftwood and seaweed washed up on the shore. A muddy stream and rough ocean then lead into a murky scene beneath the surface. Shots of algal reef, boulder banks and sponge gardens represent some of the marine habitats here. More shots of algal forests and boulders covered anemone beneath the canopy follow.

We then see shots of an eagle ray gliding over boulders, an octopus backing away to shelter, a rock lobster, banded triple fin, blue cod, spotties and then, back at the surface, a small group of fur seals. Shots on the mainland beach nearby lead into an interview with Chris Turver, recreational fisher with Kapiti Island in the background and intersected with shots of blue cod, rock lobster and a final shot of the island at sunset.

What you’ll learn

Kapiti Marine Reserve is the meeting place of two major sea currents resulting in a mix of warm and cool temperate species. Being situated on the exposed west coast of the North Island, storms regularly batter this coastline resulting in beaches covered in driftwood and seaweed, and an often turbid home for the area’s marine inhabitants.

Kapiti is unique in that it provides a continuum of protection from the island tree tops to the sea floor and even extends inland through a neighbouring estuarine system.

Subtidal habitats in the reserve include boulder banks, sponge gardens, dense kelp and mixed seaweed forest. Species featured include spotties, oblique-swimming triplefins, jewel anemones, octopus, eagle ray, rock lobster, banded triplefins, blue cod and fur seals.

Recreational fisher and former marine reserve opponent Councillor Chris Turver, now on the Marine Reserve Committee, talks about local turnaround to support for marine reserves after witnessing their benefits. He stresses the importance of community support for marine reserves as a major contributing factor to their success.

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