Islands of the Gulf - Episode 2

In this episode, Elisabeth Easther visits the smaller islands her mum first explored in 1964's Islands of the Gulf TV series. Governor George Grey's Mansion House on Kawau Island testifies to Aotearoa's colonial past, a private paradise where he nurtured exotic plants and animals. On bird sanctuary Tiritiri Matangi, Easther meets Ray Walter, an ex lighthouse keeper who kept the lights on for 30 years.  She also meets ex Motuihe Islander Vern Cotter, who appeared in the original series as a "hard-working" two-year-old. Her last stop is iconic  Rangitoto Island. Easther writes here about following her mother's footsteps.

Our ancestors were determined to discover fertile lands for gardening, and they found a real jewel in this wonderful place called Motutapu...

– James Brown, chairman of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki iwi, on the first residents of Motutapu Island

Key Cast & Crew

John Hagen

Field Director

Elisabeth Topping

Editor

Warren Green

Cinematographer

Elisabeth Easther

Research, Associate Producer, Writer, Presenter

Shirley Maddock

Writer, Producer & Presenter of 1964 series

Laurie Clarke

Producer, Writer