Goat Island or Te Hāwere-a-Maki lies just offshore near Leigh on the east coast north of Auckland. It was one of Edin’s study sites and we had hoped to share a fieldwork expedition to it. Unfortunately weather and time off never coincided so I missed the opportunity to visit. Goat Island is probably best known for the Cape Rodney/Okakari Point Marine Reserve which was New Zealand’s first marine reserve. This was established in 1975 and within 10 years the previously overfished area had recovered and was teeming with marine life. It had long been an ambition of mine to snorkel in the reserve and this was one of the reasons I had been keen to make a field trip with Edin to Goat Island. 

Recently we met Edin between Kermadec and Little Barrier Island bird research trips and spent a weekend near Leigh. This gave the opportunity for a snorkel and it was fabulous. Getting out beyond the wash of waves we had about 5m visibility and schools of large snapper following us like inquisitive puppies. Along with Red Moki, Parore, Goat fish, Wrasse, Piper schools and Kahawai they had me cursing having forgot the GoPro in the car. We went back the next day but an approaching weather front that would delay Edin’s departure for Little Barrier had churned the sea up a bit much.

I’ll be back and better prepared to document it visually underwater.

The Leigh Marine Laboratory is situated nearby and adjacent to this is the Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre.

Photo with Nikon D810 with Nikon 24-120mm f4 VR lens