Heartland - Kennedy Bay

Every morning this school bus makes the trip take over the hill from Coromandel to Kennedy Bay  . . .  The road is one reason for Kennedy Bay's special charm — many don't bother negotiating the torturous drive, and the bay remains cut off and overlooked by the rest of the world.

– Presenter Annie Whittle introduces the windy, unsealed road to Kennedy Bay

I always say that I don't seem to win many Lottos or raffles, but I reckon I used all my luck up getting her.

– Farmer John McLeod on his wife Raewyn

This bay belonged to the people of Tainui, yet these are the children of Ngāti Porou. Their traditional heartland is far away on the East Cape. The Ngāti Porou were coastal traders, and their schooners stopped at Kennedy Bay to shelter and take on provisions. A close relationship developed between the two tribes. and Tainui gifted the bay to the people of the East Coast.

– Presenter Annie Whittle discusses Kennedy Bay's history

...there's no sort of formal lessons as such. You're running around the houses all day, and looking into the meeting house and saying 'what's this?', 'what's that?' . . . if they've got a bit of time they'll tell you the stories associated with it, and you listen on the marae and listen to what the elders are saying, and how they developed their imagery. This is the way you learn.

– Master carver Dr Paki Harrison on learning his craft

What we wanted to portray were those living things which exist here and now in this place, and to redefine the interdependent role of the natural world and people...

– Master carver Paki Harrison on the brightly coloured animal paintings on the ceiling of the Rākairoa wharenui, late in this episode

I had four children, and no job, no money . . . What you really need is warmth and somewhere to live, and good people around you.

– Local Ruth Small on bringing up children in a cottage