Aukaha: Capturing the Magic of the Tītī Islands

In the wild depths of the Southern Ocean amid the roaring forties, sit the majestic tītī islands. These windswept islands are located north-east, east and south-west of Rakiura (Stewart Island) and are home to the tītī (muttonbirds or sooty shearwaters). Eighteen of the tītī islands are referred to as the Beneficial Islands, and only certain whānau Kāi Tahu have rights to harvest muttonbirds from them. The harvesting season runs from 1 April to 31 May each year, with the families journeying to their homes on the islands to continue the traditions of their tīpuna. The tradition of birding helps whānau to survive the fiercely cold Southern winters, returning to the mainland strong with replenished wairua and enough tītī to sustain them. Their tīpuna are everywhere on the tītī islands, watching and guiding them as kaumātua pass down the knowledge of this whenua and tradition to their mokopuna.

A photography competition was run by the Tītī Times for whānau who were on the islands during the 2023 harvest season. The competition was judged by award winning photographer Amber Griffin.

Riki Bull won the competition with the wonderful photo of Ranui, Ōraka and Kurenga McLaughlin.

Competition judge Amber said, “The pluck house image was compositionally well-balanced and beautifully illustrated the unique environment. The joy emanating from the children’s faces is beautifully balanced by the well-lit greenery surrounding them. This decisive moment is perfectly exposed with a successful use of fill flash that can be difficult to achieve.”

Aurora Metzger won first place in the under-16 section with her stunning sunset photo on Kundy Island, a 19 ha tītī island south-west of Rakiura. Aurora has beautifully captured golden hour as the light seems to effortlessly coat the lush green canopy as the sun slips into the seemingly calm ocean to begin his daily slumber.

Kā mihi to all the other finalists! And thank you to all of the tītī island whānau who submitted pics for the competition. More images will be published in future issues of the Tītī Times.

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