The Journey Begins

The Hauraki Gulf is a beautiful body of water.
She is both a healer & in need of healing.
She is rich ecosystems.
A nurturer.

Taonga.

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And, she's in trouble.
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Filmmaker and environmental activist Mandy Kupenga has spent most of her life on and around the moana. After almost two decades in corporate roles, she decided to dedicate her life to something simpler and more impactful - te taiao.

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After turns hosting her own fishing show on TV and filming the documentary Seasick, Mandy realised the power of storytelling in helping to create positive change for the natural world.

She also noticed that a lot of Kiwi are nervous or downright downtrodden about how to help reverse the damage that has been wrought upon the Gulf.

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But, ever the optimist and hopeful change-maker, she wanted to change that.

Solutions In Action

Heal The Hauraki was a seed of an idea that Mandy nurtured for nearly a decade - working through ways to help enact positive change, show solutions in action, and create community around healing te taiao in a way that was aroha-filled and full of HOPE.

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Alongside creative partner and co-producer/ director, Cassie Roma Mandy found a way to do just that!

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By uncovering the stories of experts, rangatahi, and activists already doing the mahi to help raise the mauri and heal the Hauraki Gulf (on land, on sea, and alongside each other) stories of hope came to the surface.

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Joyousness, connection, healing, and walking the talk became the centerpiece of the narratives of this three-part documentary series and impact campaign.

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Alongside Charmaine Bailie, Nicola MacDonald, Bianca Ranson, Dr Dan Hikuroa and a raft of voluteers and environmental professionals, Heal The Haruaki not only aims to engage audiences, but to grow communities from seeds of hope.

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Thank you for being involved and joining Mandy and the amazing humans doing the work on our journey to heal the Hauraki! 

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Together we can raise the mauri of te taiao - and, each other!