Swirly World Sails South

Intrepid Kiwi Andrew Fagan and his new book – ‘Swirly World Sails South’.

Legendary musician and broadcaster Andrew Fagan has set yet another world sailing record and in doing so most certainly proved he is one of the most intrepid Kiwis of our lifetime. 

In 2007 he set sail alone in his 5.4 metre plywood yacht, ‘Swirly World’, to circumnavigate New Zealand.  And just to make it more difficult Fagan included a leg to the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands in the Southern Ocean.

He has recorded this feat of uncommon daring and fortitude in his latest book – ‘Swirly World Sails South’.  In this account of his voyage, Fagan tells of having to avoid icebergs, sailing through a Force 10 storm in the Southern Ocean and visiting sites of shipwrecks at Port Ross in the Auckland Island group:  “With the genuine concern of a very fatigued person, I was sailing for my life and I knew it!”  

He offers a different and refreshing perspective on the world of solo sailing, bringing the intensity and self doubt alive and revealing the extreme emotional endurance required in order to complete such a long and multi faceted journey.  It is not without his unique brand of humour.

Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum is delighted to host Swirly World in its marina from Thursday 7 June to Sunday 10 June. 

The indefatigable Fagan will be at the museum on Saturday 9 June for a book signing from 1.00pm.  The book signing will be held in the Aotearoa Evolves Gallery. 

It’s now 28 years since Andrew Fagan as lead singer of “the Mockers’ won the RIANZ award for top male vocalist with the hit ‘Forever Tuesday Morning’.  He’s looking good considering.

Kermadec Speaker Series - Experiencing the Kermadecs

The third lecture in Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum’s Speaker Series is to be held on Thursday 31 May. The address is entitled – “Experiencing the Kermadecs”. The speakers are acclaimed New Zealand visual artists Bruce Foster (below left) and Jason O’Hara (below right) whose works feature in the exhibition “Kermadec” currently showing in the Edmiston Gallery at the museum.

Bruce Foster

The exhibition showcases art works from nine South Pacific artists who were inspired by their voyage aboard HMNZS Otago as they journeyed from Auckland to the Kermadec Region, then on to Tonga.

The artists expedition and subsequent exhibition are under the auspices of the Pew Environment Group whose objective in this instance is to give a visual voice to their cause – to protect and preserve this unique Kermadec region. The exhibition is spectacular.

Jason O'Hara

Within the contexts of their ongoing creative practices Jason O’Hara and Bruce Foster will talk about their participation in, and contributions to, the Kermadec project. Their Kermadec works will be discussed as part of their lifelong preoccupation with the ocean and its shoreline. Bruce Foster will also screen the film he shot on the journey.

The lecture will be held in the Aotearoa Evolves Gallery at the museum and will start at 6.30pm. The first hour will comprise the speakers and then the next hour will be spent in the Edmiston Gallery discussing and viewing Kermadec, the exhibition.

Admission is $5.00 per person.

To reserve your space please contact Leanne on (09) 373 0800 or leanne@maritimemuseum.co.nz

Welcome home Steinlager 2

Steinlager 2 - The legend returns.

Steinlager 2, the winning Kiwi legend skippered by Sir Peter Blake in the 1989 Whitbread Round the World Race returns to its New Zealand home.

Join us aboard Ted Ashby for a special 90 minute sailing to welcome Steinlager 2 as she rounds North Head.

Saturday 5th May

11.30am 90 minute sail
Departs Voyager NZ Maritime Museum

• Auckland Resident Adults - $12.00
• Auckland Resident Children - $6.00
• Visitor Adults - $29.00
• Visitor Children - $14.50
• Includes admission to the museum galleries
• Bookings essential - info@maritimemuseum.co.nz
  or (09) 373 0800

Sunday 6th May

10.00am - 3.00pm - Viaduct Harbour

• Public Open day
• Explore above and below decks on Steinlager 2 & Lion New Zealand
• Gold Coin donation requested.

Steinlager 2, Sea spray collection, Voyager NZ Maritime Museum

After your sailing, don't forget to come in and experience 'Blue Water Black Magic, a tribute to Sir Peter Blake' to learn more on Steinlager 2.

Kermadec Speaker Series - Amazing Diversity

Amazing Diversity / A unique microcosm of flora and fauna.

The current Speaker Series being conducted at Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum features a diverse range of topics and speakers relating to the museum’s exhibition – Kermadec.
The exhibition showcases art works from nine South Pacific artists who were inspired by their Voyage aboard HMNZS Otago as they journeyed from Auckland to the Kermadec region and then on to Tonga.

The artists’expedition and the subsequent exhibition are under the auspices of the Pew Environment Goup. In their projects promoting and protecting the sustainability of the sea they have harnessed the talents of artists and the research and discoveries of scientists.

This second lecture in the series will feature scientists who know the Kermadec region. This lecture is to be held on Thursday, 26 April in the Aotearoa Evolves Gallery, starting at 6.30pm.

The session will be chaired by Chris Howe, CEO World Wildlife Fund, New Zealand. The panel will comprise of three outstanding speakers and advocates of the cause for the protection and preservation of this threatened unique Kermadec region.

They are Dr. Tom Trnski (pictured right), Research Manager and Curator Marine Biology, Auckland Museum who pulled a scientific team together and coordinated an explorative mission of research to the Kermadecs; Karen Baird, Seabird Conservation Advocate, Forest and Bird and Rochelle Constantine PhD from the School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland.

Chris Howe will conduct a Q and A session at the conclusion of the addresses. Guests will then be invited with the scientists to visit the exhibition in the museum’s Edmiston gallery. The exhibition is spectacular.

Admission is $5.00.

For further information please refer to our website
http://www.maritimemuseum.co.nz/speaker-series
or call 09 373 0800

Wondrous Creatures of the deep

Oceans of fun these School Holidays.

"Wondrous Creatures of the deep" is an all embracing educational programme of discovery of what really lives in the deep blue sea. But, what’s more it provides numerous opportunities for the kids to visually experience these creatures in their own environment, plus they may create their own magical, mystical creature of the deep in the specially appointed “Wondrous Creatures Imaginarium”.

Not only will the kids see for themselves what lives in our vast oceans they will discover what artists and scientists have found. They will view the museum’s latest exhibition – Kermadec – where nine prominent South Pacific artists explore the Kermadec Trench, one of the last pristine ocean environments left in the world.

No one will be bored. You’re ‘involved’ from the moment you arrive. Whether you’re on the Stamp and Discover programme that takes you around all the museum’s galleries or sending ‘your message from the deep’ to the Minister of Conservation. This is different. You may draw one or some simple wondrous creatures of the Kermadecs with your own personal conservation message and post your picture and point of view. There will be very colourful mythical creatures only too happy to relate their stories. And you can get up close and personal with a real wondrous creature of the deep. Spot Bonzo, the grumpy old man of our fishy families dwelling beneath the museum’s floating pontoons.

This school holiday pogramme runs from Tuesday 10 April to Sunday 22 April. Activities operate daily from 10.00am to 4.00pm. For Auckland residents with proof of address $5.00 per child for the activities, with accompanying adults free. If you are part of an organized group the entry fee differs. For more information please call or email Leanne 09 373 0800 or leanne@maritimemuseum.co.nz

Voyage the Kermadecs. The Artists’ Journey.

Voyager NZ Maritime Museum is to hold the first lecture in its Kermadec Speaker Series on Thursday 29 March. The lecture is entitled ‘Voyage – The Kermadecs. The Artists’ Journey’.

The speakers are several of the artists whose works feature in the exhibition ‘Kermadec’ currently showing in the Edmiston Gallery at the museum. They are John Reynolds (bottom left), Phil Dadson (bottom right) and Gregory O’Brien (also Curator of the exhibition) (right). They will be joined by Bronwen Golder, Director Global Ocean Legacy - Kermadec, Pew Environment Group.

The exhibition showcases art works from nine South Pacific artists who were inspired by their Voyage aboard HMNZS Otago as they journeyed from Auckland to the Kermadec Region, then on to Tonga.

The artists’ expedition and the subsequent exhibition are under the auspices of the Pew Environment Group. In their projects promoting and protecting the sustainability of the Sea, Pew Environment Group, to date, has harnessed scientific research and scientists to convey their message. Kermadec, the exhibition, is the first time they have relied on The Arts for this purpose.
The resultant diverse works of these nine artists literally becomes ‘the voice’ of their cause – to protect and preserve this threatened unique Kermadec region. The exhibition is spectacular.

The lecture will be held in the Aotearoa Evolves at the museum and will start at 6.30pm. The first hour will comprise the speakers and then the next hour will be spent in the Edmiston Gallery discussing and viewing Kermadec, the exhibition.

Admission is $5.00.

For reservations please contact Leanne on (09) 373 0800 or leanne@maritimemuseum.co.nz

BEACH TRASH TO ART

The Volvo Ocean Race - Auckland Stopover, is organizing a beach clean-up with a difference as part of its efforts around the Volvo Ocean Race’s global initiative “Keep the Oceans Clean!”

Members of the public are invited to participate in a three hour clean-up of the beaches of Motuihe Island on the Hauraki Gulf this Saturday (10 March). And, in a unique twist, each piece of trash collected may be transformed into art.

The Volvo Ocean Race has partnered with Skeleton Sea, a non-profit organisation working to reduce ocean pollution. By turning trash into art, Skeleton Sea provides a creative insight into the reasons why it is so important to keep oceans clean while educating the public about the consequences of plastic pollutants in the oceans.

Participants in the Motuihe clean up this weekend will see their work immortalised in the art that Skelton Sea artist Joao Parrinha will create from the beach trash. The sculpture planned is a giant whale tail and it will be pieced together in free workshops open to all here at Voyager from 11-17 March. Ports of Auckland has generously sponsored a 360 Discovery Cruises vessel which will transport volunteers from Auckland City to the island, known well to Auckland locals for its beaches and busy weekend anchorages.

Jacqui Smith, Director of the Volvo Ocean Race’s “Keep the Oceans Clean!” campaign, said that the event is gathering momentum worldwide and has been massively successful in other Stopover ports to date. “We’re just hoping that this helps people think about their everyday actions when it comes to litter and plastics” she said. “A bottle cap dropped on the ground can end up in the ocean and in a turtle’s throat. That’s a shame and a responsibility that we should all feel.”

Other sculptures created by Skeleton Sea can be seen outside the Museum and there’s a not-to-be-missed oceanic video experience in the Dome in the Race Village.

After the fleet departs on Leg 5, the Auckland beach trash sculpture will be donated to the Museum and left on display to continue the awareness campaign.

What: Beach clean-up on Motuihe Island
When: Saturday 10 March - Sign up prior to 10am, return by 1pm
Who: First 100 – all welcome!
Where: Meet outside Voyager NZ Maritime Museum to depart on free ferry from Pier 4


Official Volvo Ocean Race Auckland Stopover website