BLAKE Expeditions
Kermadec Islands 2012
2012 was the year of the inaugural BLAKE Expedtions voyage. With the aim of inspiring New Zealanders to understand the global significance of the Kermadec Islands, and to encourage stewardship the planet’s oceans, BLAKE, together with the Ministry for the Environment, the Royal NZ Navy, DOC, Pew Environment Group, Experiencing Marine Reserves and LEARNZ, sent 30 young New Zealanders to the Kermadec Islands.
The secondary school students travelled on board HMNZS Canterbury, with a crew of subject experts, scientists, artists, educators, and leaders.
The Kermadec region – between New Zealand’s North Island and Tonga – is one of the last relatively untouched wilderness areas on the planet. The product of violent collision between two continental plates, it is globally significant for its geology. It is a cradle of life: a place isolated by deep water, with an arc of undersea volcanoes stretching its length. It teems with birds, whales, dolphins, fish, turtles and other unique sea creatures, many of which exist only there.
Due to the Kermadecs isolation, it is a mecca for scientists who are fortunate to come and study this pristine and untouched environment. The discoveries scientists make in the Kermadecs help us to gain an understanding of our planet’s systems and gives insight on how we can look after it for the future.
“I’ve never been on a ship like the Canterbury, I’ve never been somewhere as fragile and beautiful as the islands, and I’ve never been swimming with sharks. It’s exhilarating to know that in no time at all, we’ll be surrounded by creatures we will probably never be able to experience again.”
– Lucy Tothill 2012 BLAKE Expeditions Voyager
Meet our 2012 student voyagers
Alex Gregory
CANTERBURY
Anna Clark
CANTERBURY
Asia Brownlie
WELLINGTON
Daniel Goldthorpe
MARLBOROUGH
Craig Smith
CANTERBURY
Elijah Koopu
ROTORUA
Felix Bornholdt
WELLINGTON
Freya O'Sullivan
BAY OF PLENTY
Gomathi Rajasekaran
AUCKLAND
Hamish Darling
OTAGO
Isabella Lenihan-Ikin
WELLINGTON
Jack Hamilton
NORTHLAND
John Whitcombe
CANTERBURY
Jamie Darbyshire
MANAWATU
Lily Pryor-Rodgers
KAPITI COAST
Logan Candy
GISBORNE
Lucy Tothill
CANTERBURY
Melissa Churchouse
WHANGANUI
Nicholas Humphries
SOUTHLAND
Olivia Jay
WAIKATO
Patricia Harrison
WAIKATO
Rebecca Vella-King
OTAGO
Rhiannon Scott
MANAWATU
Rose Mickleson
HAWKES BAY
Meet our 2012 crew
Commander Sean Stewart
HMNZS Canterbury
Hannah Prior
Chief Operating Officer
Bruce Foster
Photographer & Film Maker
Don Robertson
Chief Operating Officer
Sheelagh James
Expedition Doctor
Sir Chris Mace
Chas Toogood
TVNZ
Samara Nicholas
BLAKE Leader & Snorkeling Director
Andrew Berry
BLAKE Leader
Clinton Duffy
Shark Expert
Mark Weldon
BLAKE Leader & Expedition Team Leader
Sam Johnson
BLAKE Leader & Expedition Team Leader
Rebecca Priestley
Expedition Writer & Columnist for The Listener
Helen Bostock
Marine Geologist
Isaac Sutherland
Ngati Kuri Representative
Libby Liggins
Scientist and 2008 Antarctic Youth Ambassador
Michael Moyes
Expedition Team Leader
Peter Sommerville
LEARNZ – Field Trip Project Director
Steven Ullrich
Marine Collector & Architect
Andrew Penny
LEARNZ – Field Trip Teacher
David Pierce
TVNZ
Peter Cronshaw
TVNZ
Virginia Larson
Expedition Writer & Editor for North & South
William Mansfield
Pew Environment Group Ambassador