We feel so lucky to be collaborating with such awesome organisations to bring you this community event! This day has been split into 2 parts. This is Part 1 and has unfortunately completely SOLD OUT, however we have a much larger capacity for Part 2 - Leigh Sawmill "Kōrero, kai & wai" in the evening so we would absolutely LOVE to see you there!
*There is also an option to meet us down at the beach by Goat Island in the morning but you will not be part of the guided tour around Goat Island, but you will be part of all the on land activities.
Join us for a guided morning snorkel/freedive with our mates at Goat Island Dive & Snorkel to learn all about the marine life and ecosystems that thrive at Te Hāwere-a-Maki/Goat Island Marine Reserve, as well as about how we as humans are impacting the unprotected surrounding areas and what we as kaitiaki can do about it :)
For many of us who grew up in Auckland and the surrounds, Te Hāwere-a-Maki/Goat Island Marine Reserve and the surrounding coastline has been a place where we have gone to learn to freedive, practise our skills, and enjoy the moana, escaping the rat race for just a moment, a sanctuary of sorts. Many of us have also frequented the near by Te Kohuroa/ Matheson's Bay and Ti Point for a hand at spearfishing. But the coast line needs our help and what better way to learn more about it and what we can do to help support it as kaitiaki than with the epic team there. The team at Goat Island Dive & Snorkel will take us for a guided trip around the Marine Reserve to experience and learn about the moana there up close and personal! Then we will finish off with a shared lunch on the beach, and the option to jump back in the moana for anyone who is keen. It'll be a relaxed day of learning, connecting, ocean time, and lots of story telling and laughs along the way.
Deets:
Date: Saturday 1st November 2025
Time + Location: 9am - 12pm meet at Goat Island Dive & Snorkel Centre (142a Pakiri Road, Leigh 0985, New Zealand)
12pm onwards hang around for a BYO shared lunch on the beach and for anyone keen to get back in the water for the arvo (optional)
Gear needed: BYO freedive/ snorkel gear. Goat Island Dive & Snorkel will have some available to rent if you need it.
Experience needed: Must be able to snorkel confidently. No previous freedive experience needed. Freedivers and snorkelers welcome!
Age: 18yrs +, must identify as a woman/wahine
*Only 30 spots available and this is all free so it's first in first serve!