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What you'll see and hear
Audio:
Nga Tuatara song
Visuals:
- title and shot of west of island
- view of island from west
- tuatara
- shag
- kākāriki
- black backed gulls
- visitors resting on eastern track
- buildings and paddocks from island summit
Audio - narration:
“Matiu/Somes is the largest of 3 islands in Wellington harbour, situated about 8km from Wellington city.”
Visuals:
- island from west
- Wellington city view from island
Audio - narration:
“It is protected by the Department of Conservation as a scientific and historic reserve and is open to the public throughout the year.”
Visuals:
- aerial shot of island
- school group walking up road from the wharf
Audio - narration:
“The Dominion Post ferry sails to the island 7 days a week. However, during dry spells the island can be closed due to fire risk. Check www.eastbywest.co.nz for information.”
Visuals:
- Dominion Post ferry approaching the island
- Dominion Post ferry approaching the wharf, total fire ban symbol
- Passengers disembarking Dominion Post ferry at island wharf, total fire ban symbol, Dominion Post ferry website address
Audio - narration:
“Rats were eradicated from the island in the 1980s and there are now no mammalian predators. The island has become a sanctuary for native plants, birds, reptiles and invertebrates.”
Visuals:
- lush vegetation on western side
- plaque marking 25 years of planting by Lower Hutt Forest and Bird
- Hebe
- North Island robin
- skink
- Cook Strait giant weta
Audio - narration:
“All visitors must check bags at the whare kiore upon arrival, to help keep Matiu/Somes free of pests and seeds of invasive weeds.”
Visuals:
- visitors doing bio security bag check in the whare kiore
- visitors doing bio security bag check in the whare kiore
- Hebe
- cabbage trees
Audio - narration:
“You can access the island by boat or kayak, but you are only permitted to land at the main wharf and must then check your bags through the whare kiore.”
Visuals:
- yacht moored near island
- kayaker near island
- ‘No landing’ sign on western slope
Audio - narration:
“By the 1850s the island had been largely cleared of vegetation and no large trees remained. Some of the older trees were planted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A major restoration programme was begun in 1981, with emphasis on plants thought to have originally been on the island, and regionally-threatened species. Since then over 100,000 trees have been planted.
Visuals:
- historic shot of railway line on bullock track
- historic shot of lighthouse with very few trees and shrubs
- historic montage of volunteers planting on western slopes
- modern lighthouse surrounded by lush vegetation
- Forest and Bird’s island nursery
- Forest and Bird’s island nursery
Audio - narration:
“Several animal species have been introduced to Matiu/Somes, including, giant weta, kākāriki, North Island robin and tuatara.”
Visuals:
- fantail
- Cook Strait giant weta
- kākāriki
- North Island robin
- tuatara
Audio - narration:
“The island is also home to a variety of birds, several species of skink, geckos, hundreds of invertebrate species, and the world’s smallest penguin- the little blue.
Visuals:
- fantail drinking
- North Island robin
- skink
- weta motel
- little blue penguins nesting
Audio - narration:
“Walking around Matiu/Somes offers stunning views. Upon arriving, a sealed road takes you up to the visitor centre and to gentle tracks that circumnavigate the island. Make sure to go to Shag Rock lookout and the lighthouse- the oldest building on the island which is still in use.”
Visuals:
- walkers on track
- group walking on road from wharf
- visitors on eastern track
- shag rock lookout with city in background
- shag rock lookout
- lighthouse
Audio - narration:
“For generations, Maori used Matiu/Somes as a strategic pa. Only accessible by waka, it was easy to secure and defend. Te Atiawa has maintained kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and manawhenua (trusteeship) of the island to the present day.”
Visuals:
- Charles Heaphy’s 19th century painting of Wellington Harbour
- painting of waka coming from the island
- north western pa site
- western slopes
Audio - narration:
“From the 1870s until 1920, Matiu/Somes Island was used as a human quarantine station for passengers from immigrant ships suspected of carrying infectious diseases. A monument stands on the island to those who lost their lives while confined there.”
Visuals:
- historic map of the island
- historic sepia photo of family living on island
- ship near the island
- monument to those who lost their lives while quarantined on the island
- headstone
Audio - narration:
“For over 100 years, until 1995, Matiu/Somes served as an animal quarantine station. Animals arriving from all over the world were kept on the island until given a clean bill of health.”
Visuals:
- modern shot inside quarantine building with historic shots of quarantine animals
- modern shot of sheep
Audio - narration:
“In World War I and much of World War II, the island was an internment camp for enemy aliens who were considered a security threat. On the summit of the island are four gun emplacements that remain from a World War II heavy anti-aircraft artillery position. They were built in 1942, but never saw action.”
Visuals:
- historic shot of internee buildings and WWI and WWII internees
- modern shot of gun emplacements with historic shots of anti aircraft artillery guns and gunmen
Audio - narration:
“Thanks to the dedication of numerous individuals, groups and organisations, today Matiu/Somes is a peaceful refuge for wildlife and a reminder of our cultural heritage.”
Visuals:
- lush native plants leading to lighthouse
- kākāriki in tree
- Cook Strait giant weta
- shot of western slopes looking south
Audio:
Nga Tuatara song
Visuals:
- oyster catcher on rock
- skink by track
- fantail
- native tree with caption: ‘Thank you to Lower Hutt Forest and Bird for historical footage’
- shot of paddocks with caption: ‘Thank you to the following for stills: Alexander Turnbull Library Wellington New Zealand, Auckland Museum, The Department of Conservation'
- shot of southern beach with caption: ‘Thank you to Amanda O’Connor and Koro Tamarapa for the Nga Tuatara song.’
- DOC logos
- ends
Download shorter video clips in two formats
Note: These large files may be slow to download
Windows Media Player
Introduction and how to get there
(WMV, 6,049K, 1 minute 57 seconds)
Plants, animals and things to see
(WMV, 4,181K, 1 minute 20 seconds)
History
(WMV, 6,890K, 2 minutes 14 seconds)
QuickTime
Introduction and how to get there
(MOV, 6,729K, 1 minute 57 seconds)
Plants, animals and things to see
(MOV, 4,644K, 1 minute 20 seconds)
History
(MOV, 7,209K, 2 minutes 14 seconds)