Islands of the Gulf (1) First Episode

Television (Full Length Episode) – 2018

Fifty-four years after TV pioneer Shirley Maddock presented her series Islands of the Gulf, her daughter Elisabeth Easther visits the same Hauraki island group to see how much life has changed. First up is Waiheke, by far the most popular island, and with its booming hospitality sector and vineyards, a bona fide Auckland suburb. The smaller, sparser Rakino Island attracts those seeking a simpler life. Biggest in land size and attitude, Great Barrier retains its independent spirit. Local midwife Adele Robertson remembers how its absorption into Auckland Council in 1989 meant more rules and less innovation.

During filming, we would wake up in the morning and everything felt kind. I thought how mum would have really appreciated that, because it was a real muck-in kind of way she made television; there were no trailers, no hair and makeup, there were no pretensions, and I think we managed to create a similar sort of feeling.
– Presenter Elisabeth Easther on following the steps of her mother, broadcaster Shirley Maddock, The NZ Herald, 24 February 2018