Islands of the Gulf - Little Barrier

The ever poetic Shirley Maddock visits Hauraki Gulf's Little Barrier Island/Te Hauturu-o-Toi in this episode of Islands of the Gulf. She is hosted by the affable and down-to-earth Rodger Blanshard and his family, who are caretakers for the sanctuary. Trailblazing broadcaster Maddock, in her customary serene style, explains the geographical, cultural and indigenous history of Little Barrier. The four home-schooled children enthusiastically show Maddock around the island, and she follows the family as they feed the native birds, report on the temperature, grow bananas and prepare for the 150-odd visitors a year they host.

Robert Hunter Blair and his wife came here in 1910, and he died in September of that year. Mrs Blair was quite alone. She made a grave and then waited for help to come, in answer to the fires she lit along the shore. 

– Presenter Shirley Maddock on an early curator of Little Barrier Island, late in this episode

Key Cast & Crew

Shirley Maddock

Director, Producer, Writer, Presenter, Interviewer

Don Whyte

Cinematographer