Our Big Blue Backyard - Kaikōura

This episode of nature documentary series Our Big Blue Backyard explores Kaikōura's rich and diverse marine life as a variety of native species feed, socialise, procreate and play. Off Kaikōura's coast lies the 1200-metre-deep Kaikōura Canyon, an important feeding ground for fish, whales and dolphins and a key part of the area's ecosystem. Narrator Michael Hurst describes the action over incredible underwater and onshore footage as a pod of frisky dusky dolphins, a maternally-minded red-billed gull, a curious fur seal pup and 'visitors' like humpback whales, shags and terns enjoy a summer's day.

It's specialty is its impression of a rock, with seaweed growing on it. It takes a lot of effort to look this good. The crab has to collect the most appropriate accessories — and then get dressed.

– Narrator Michael Hurst describes a crab's camouflage

Key Cast & Crew

Judith Curran

Executive Producer

Max Quinn

Camera Operator

Robyn Pearson

Production Manager

Roz Mason

Post-Production Director

Colette Beaudry

Series Producer

Michael Hurst

Narrator