Our Big Blue Backyard

From Nine to Noon 21 October 2014

Our Big Blue Backyard is the title of the latest book from Taranaki-based natural history writer, academic and graphic designer, Janet Hunt. She has previously won awards for her adult and children's books on wildlife and nature. In 2004, her study of New Zealand wildlife won Best in Non-Fiction and Book of the Year at the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, as well as the Elsie Locke Award at the LIANZA Children's Book Awards. In 2008, her Wetlands of New Zealand: A Bitter-Sweet Story won the Environment Award and the Montana Medal for Non-Fiction at the Montana New Zealand Book Awards. But Janet Hunt's latest focus – Our Big Blue Backyard, is about the 38 marine reserves around the country, and what is needed to protect and preserve New Zealand's seas and foreshores.

In 2011 Doc volunteer Melanie Heather counts erect-crested penguins on Antipodes Island, their only breeding site in the world. ‘The noise, the smell — a sensory overload!’ she said. The islands were ‘magic, so pure and untouched’. Photo: Joe Dodgshun, Otago Daily Times

Two-spot demoiselles pass above an encrusted rock and a crown of thorns sea star. Photo: Ian Skipworth

For the fun of it: dusky dolphins in the wake of a vessel leaving Bluff. Photo: Ian Skipworth

The submarine walls of Poor Knights Islands are vibrant with the colour of encrusting sponges, anemones, nudibranchs, different seaweeds and kelp. Photo: Ian Skipworth

Two female gulls at Kaikōura settle their chicks for the night. Photo: Natural History New Zealand

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.