Documentary Reveals The Beauty And Fragility Of Wellington’s Underwater Forests

Seaweed: A Love Story is a powerful short documentary diving into the hidden underwater forests along Wellington’s coast. The film draws attention to the previously undocumented decline of these vital nursery grounds and habitats.

This 17-minute documentary captures the drastic changes unfolding on the rocky reefs of Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington Harbour). It follows local marine advocate Dr. Nicole Miller as she scuba dives and films 70 kilometres of coastline, revealing the intricate beauty and diversity of our native seaweeds, and exposing the growing threats these vulnerable ecosystems face from overfishing, pollution, and climate change.

Produced by SALTY SLATE in collaboration with Explore Your Coast, Seaweed: A Love Story was filmed over two years and blends art, science, and technology to highlight both the beauty and the urgent plight of Wellington’s underwater forests. The film invites viewers to dive alongside Dr. Nicole Miller and experience the delicate beauty of these vital ecosystems.

“The seaweed forests along our coastlines are nursery grounds for many treasured kaimoana species, including pāua and crayfish. Like rainforests on land, our seaweeds support many other species and build the foundation for a food web that benefits penguins, dolphins, and us,” says Dr. Miller.

“This is more than just a documentary; it’s my personal story and a powerful call to action to save our underwater forests. We hope to inspire Wellingtonians to protect these incredible ecosystems and the species that depend on them — from seahorses, octopuses and kaimoana to the diverse marine life that thrives there, before it is too late.”

Seaweed: A Love Story will premiere on May 5, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, followed by a special Q&A session with the director, film lead, and local scuba divers at the Penthouse Cinema, 205 Ohiro Road, Brooklyn, Wellington.

Tickets available at https://www.penthousecinema.co.nz/movie/seaweed-a-love-story.

Watch the Seaweed: A Love Story trailer: www.exploreyourcoast.co.nz/docu.

About Dr. Nicole Miller

With almost 1,000 hours logged underwater, Dr. Nicole Miller has dedicated her life to documenting the rich biodiversity of New Zealand’s marine environments. She is the founder of Explore Your Coast, the Chair of the Friends of Taputeranga Marine Reserve Trust, and a Winston Churchill Fellow.

About the producers

SALTY SLATE Ltd. and Explore Your Coast have collaborated to connect people with New Zealand’s natural marine heritage. By combining scientific expertise with creative storytelling, they aim to inspire stewardship and raise awareness about the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems.

For more information and to sign up for upcoming events, visit www.exploreyourcoast.co.nz/docu.

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