Project Reef Life, collaborating with students and community, has brought another artwork to Pātea following a stunning mural of the reef and divers. The new eye-catching installation has been placed on seven poles leading to the Pātea beach and include Corten-steel blue cod, eagle rays, albatross, sponges, algae and humpback whale fluke – all species which the Project has captured on film! There is also a diver to recognise the voluntary work of the South Taranaki Underwater Club through which Project Reef Life is run. The outer poles are stylised waka paddles.

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The Project team continues to be busy assisting Puke Ariki with the upcoming permanent exhibit. Some of the work being done behind the scenes by museum staff is awesome, such as the modelling of fish life. Richie who visited the workshop in New Plymouth a few weeks ago loved the Broadnose sevengill shark.

Twice in May, the Mark II insitu-camera was secured at the Project Reef. There has been some excellent footage including clips of both a NZ Fur Seal chasing food at night and an Octopus on the hunt. Other footage captured includes large blue moki, schools of snapper, congregation of goatfish, kingfish and carpet sharks! Richie made a fascinating observation whilst reviewing the hundreds of video files; a number of times between 8.30am and 9.30am blue and copper moki come along just in front of the camera to be cleaned by scarlet wrasse!