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The National Geographic Society curated photo exhibition Pristine Seas: Bringing the Ocean Back, opens at New Plymouth District Council’s Puke Ariki Museum on Saturday, June 7.
The exhibition, for which Puke Ariki is New Zealand’s exclusive venue, draws upon over a decade worth of global expeditions conducted by the National Geographic Pristine Seas project to document and protect the ocean so it can heal, rebound, and regenerate.
The exhibition highlights the importance of marine protected areas (MPAs) as a mechanism for protecting and restoring the world’s ocean. Through the exhibition’s narrative, photography, and film, visitors will learn how the Pristine Seas team supports indigenous peoples, local communities and governments in the creation of MPAs.
Visitors will explore the team’s expeditions ranging from the tropical coral reefs of the Southern Line Islands to the icebergs of the Antarctic Peninsula. Through stunning imagery and stories that highlight the scientific methods used on these expeditions, the exhibition will showcase Pristine Seas’ continued commitment to protecting ocean life.
Since 2008, the National Geographic Pristine Seas project has carried out 44 expeditions and helped establish 27 marine protected areas covering more than 6.5 million square kilometres of ocean—an area more than twice the size of India.
“This exhibition exemplifies the Pristine Seas team’s dedication to educating audiences about the importance of Marine Protected Areas and their contribution to a healthy ocean which provides everything from oxygen, livelihoods and food for local communities and incredible beauty,” says National Geographic Society chief campus and experiences officer Emily Dunham.
“With the team’s combined experience in exploration, scientific research and powerful storytelling, visitors will dive deep into strikingly beautiful stories and images from the wildest places in the ocean while learning how we must preserve it.
“The Pristine Seas team combines exploration and rigorous research with powerful storytelling. The goal of this exhibition is to immerse visitors in the beauty of the sea while reiterating why we must preserve it.”
Puke Ariki Museum manager Frith Williams says local audiences are in for an eye-opening experience.
“In this special region surrounded by the moana, Puke Ariki is thrilled to share National Geographic’s Pristine Seas. The stunning photographs in the show will be complemented by events for all ages, exploring how we can learn about and protect the ocean around Taranaki – from iwi-led conversation initiatives, like the shellfish rāhui, to creative activities and yoga.
“As we are the exclusive venue for the exhibition in Aotearoa, we hope people from outside the region will visit too, along with our local families and nature lovers.”
National Geographic’s Pristine Seas is on at Puke Ariki Museum’s Temporary Gallery June 7 – October 26. Find out more at pukeariki.com
