Islands of the Gulf - Episode 5

In this final episode of Islands of the Gulf, Elisabeth Easther retraces her mother’s 1960s trip around the Hauraki Gulf, meeting some of the characters who live there in the 21st century. On Great Barrier, she connects with Mike Newman, whose father owned the local store during her mother's visit, and explores the island's walking tracks with track builder Stan McGeady. On Rakino, Easther meets a resident with a treasure trove of antiques and collectables. Lastly on Waiheke she meets a cast of eclectic characters: including an artist and part-time mermaid, an elderly hip-hop dancer, and a Welsh wildlife photographer.

I thought of all the islands of the Hauraki, on days when they take fire from the sun, and lie light as feathers on the sea. Forty islands I see — more if you count the gannet perches — and snug in my mind's eye, not one of them seems very far away.

– Shirley Maddock, quoted by her daughter Elisabeth Easther at the end of the series

Key Cast & Crew

Amy Barber

Sound Mix

Warren Green

Cinematographer

Elisabeth Easther

Writer, Research, Associate Producer, Presenter

Ken Sparks

Editor

Shirley Maddock

Writer, Producer & Presenter of 1964 series

Vincent Burke

Executive Producer