How Barrier surfing became cool
Who was Great Barrier’s first surfer? Tryphena resident and retired island chemist Mike Gardiner can claim that title. He first…
Category: Island Stories
Moving the middle ground
From the deck of the Aotea Track’s Mt Heale (Matāwhero) Hut the vista at twilight is awe-inspiring. It faces west…
Wonder
Recently I watched a near total eclipse of the moon. I watched it from the bush clearing that surrounds my…
Aotea Fiction
There’s a climactic scene in Don E McGregor’s latest book where a Barrier guerilla fighter and a wily Japanese soldier…
The history keepers
Tony Christiansen is the Chair of the Great Barrier Island Historical Research Group Incorporated, which has recently erected The History…
Through the lens
As lockdown brought travel to and around the island to a halt I reached out to several island professional photographers,…
Islands and Uncertainty
The next festival on Aotea’s calendar – Small Island Big Ideas in September – promises to cater for hearts and…
Aotea’s Got Talent
Words Tim Higham, Images Saskia Koerner Aotea’s population is growing. The number of people listing the island as their primary…
The Revolution Starts Here
A lot of visitors say Great Barrier Island is like stepping back in time. All homes and accommodation places are…
The Love of Food
Joss Bellerby loves the apple and chocolate scents of her Stonewall Store in Tryphena when she opens up in the…
