Landscape - Muttonbirders

The sealers would drop their [Māori] wives off at this place, while they went away down south ... sealing. There was only women and children left on this place. That’s how it come to be called ‘Women’s Island’. The sealers would pick up their wives on their way back.

– How Women’s Island got its name

The birders maintain a strong sense of tradition and kinship. Although most of the birders are Pākehā in appearance and outlook, for this time of the year, for this muttonbird season, they are entirely Māori and on their home ground.

– From the narration

Most of the kiddies get sick on the first day, but they seem to find their sea-legs by the second...

– The ferry captain

It’s in the blood. I think everybody wants to go bush sometime, and this is our way of going bush.

– A muttonbirder