Sea Urchins - Series Three, Episode Five

For the third series of this TVNZ kidult drama, the location moved from the Hauraki Gulf to the Marlborough Sounds, where there's also plenty of water for floatplane and speedboat thrills (and an explosion). Brothers Peter, Nik and Hape — the "sea urchins" — attempt to foil a thuggish gang of tuatara and kākāriki smugglers, led by cravat-wearing evil mastermind, Carl. The urchins are aided on the ground and in the air by a young Rebecca Gibney (the Packed to the Rafter's star's first major TV role), while future broadcaster and Wiggle Robert Rakete plays Nik.

I was terrible. It [teenage modelling] was the worst experience of my life and I hated it and I said, ‘That’s it, I’m never acting again’, but then Television NZ called for auditions for this kids’ show called Sea Urchins.

– Rebecca Gibney describes getting her acting break on the show (Mindfood magazine)

Key Cast & Crew

Rebecca Gibney

As: Karen

Freddie Hemara

As: Peter

Robert Rakete

As: Nik

Roy Billing

As: Sharkey

Les Hansen

Director

John Whitwell

Producer