"Seaweed" is a general term for numerous species of marine plants and algae that thrive in oceans, rivers, lakes, and other water bodies.
Seaweed, rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, has long been used as a food source. It has been a staple in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese diets since ancient times, with up to 21 species commonly used in Japanese cooking, including varieties like nori, kombu, and wakame. In Western countries, seaweed is often seen as a health food. However, in Wales, red algae (porphyra) is used to make laverbread, and in Belize, seaweed is blended with milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla to create a drink called “dulce” or “sweet.”
Historically, seaweed has been applied to wounds and used in dental mold production. Extracts from seaweed are also found in some diet pills and have been traditionally believed to possess healing properties for ailments like tuberculosis, arthritis, colds, flu, and parasitic infections.
Rich in nutrients, seaweed makes an excellent natural fertilizer, boosting the growth of plants and vegetables. Some seaweed varieties also offer anti-fungal benefits that transfer to the soil. However, seaweed is less effective as a fertilizer in heavy soils.
Seaweeds are valued for their viscosity, making them a key ingredient in industrial gums.
Algotherapy, the use of seaweed in health and beauty treatments, takes advantage of seaweed’s nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, which can enhance skin health. Seaweed extracts, also common in foods, are popular in lotions and creams.
In nature, seaweed helps filter reefs and lakes, absorbing excess nutrients through photosynthesis. This natural process is replicated in artificial seaweed filters, like algae scrubbers, to purify water.
Seaweed also finds its way into products like toothpaste and cosmetics, as well as in paints, dyes, gels, and processes such as paper sizing, textile printing, and even drilling.
Generations of New Zealanders have grown up with captivating dolphin tales—stories of "celebrity" dolphins who gained fame for their unique personalities and daring deeds along New Zealand’s coasts. With 13 different dolphin species inhabiting these waters, dolphins are a common sight across the North and South Island shores. These agile swimmers are often seen playfully following boats or frolicking in shallow waters off beaches. Occasionally, a solitary dolphin will adopt an area, becoming familiar with the locals and making a name for itself.
These celebrated dolphins are woven into a rich history, reaching from early Māori mythology to modern folklore.
Māori have long held a special relationship with marine mammals, often viewing dolphins as taniwha—spiritual water guardians. Some tribes tell stories of dolphins intervening in human affairs. For instance, the Ngāti Wai people, who lived on islands off Auckland’s eastern coast, believed dolphins acted as messengers, bringing news from the islands to the mainland.
Several tales also recount dolphins aiding travelers across Cook Strait, the passage between the North and South Islands:
Since the arrival of Europeans, several dolphins have etched their names into New Zealand’s folklore. One of the earliest and best-known is Pelorus Jack, who, from 1888 to 1912, guided ships through the dangerous French Pass, between D’Urville Island and the mainland. Recognized by Māori as Tuhirangi, Jack would often choose the fastest boat to follow, easily keeping pace with ships traveling up to 30 kph. At night, Jack’s speeding outline glowed from the phosphorescent plankton in the water. His fame spread, with his image appearing on the cover of the Illustrated London News. Jack, a four-meter Risso’s dolphin, became a beloved figure, though it was never confirmed whether he was male or female.
In 1955 and 1956, a young female bottlenose dolphin named Opo delighted New Zealanders with her playful spirit. Crowds flocked to Opononi in the Hokianga Harbour to watch Opo’s antics as she played with children, even allowing them to ride on her back. Growing accustomed to the attention, Opo would respond to cheers by performing increasingly challenging tricks. She became so beloved that a song was written in her honor. The nation mourned her sudden death in March 1956.
In recent years, Moko the dolphin became another icon in New Zealand’s dolphin lore. Arriving in the waters off Mahia and Whakatane on the North Island’s east coast in 2007, Moko became famous for his friendly interactions with people. In March 2008, Moko made international headlines by saving two beached pygmy sperm whales, leading them through a narrow channel back to open water.
Moko’s playful nature sometimes got the best of him, especially with lone swimmers whom he refused to leave alone. One swimmer, exhausted from his relentless games, had to be rescued by boat. A local Moko minder was eventually organized to keep him safe and out of trouble. Sadly, in July 2010, Moko’s life was cut short when his body was found washed ashore near Tauranga, bringing an end to his unforgettable legacy.
Surf Lifesaving is not only an essential service available across New Zealand but is also a quintessential Kiwi activity that so many of our people of all ages can, and do, get involved in. with a coastline of approx. 18,000 km much of this is regularly pounded by surf.
With surf lifesaving having its origins down under in Australia in 1906 it wasn’t long before it came across the ditch and the first clubs in Lyall Bay and New Brighton were formed in 1910.
Whilst Māori have swum in the sea for centuries, swimming for the 19th century European was not common and the idea that swimming was healthy only started to form during the 1880’s. The New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association was founded in 1890, and the Royal Life Saving Society began teaching swimming and lifesaving.
It wasn’t until the early 20th century that sea bathers started forming organisations to improve the image of swimming. It was only after this time that surf lifesaving really developed.
The first lifesavers used the reel, line and belt rescue technique where one of the team (the beltman) swam out to the person in trouble wearing a belt attached to a line which unravelled from a reel. Other team members would then reel in the beltman and swimmer. Sometimes boats with a team of rowers would head out to swimmers further from shore or in heavy surf.
New Zealand used equipment from Australia and would then adapt to suit and it was a New Zealander, Alec Ross, who invented the Ross Safety Belt in 1948 which, in an emergency, the beltman could release the pin and break free from the line. This device remained the main lifesaving aid for almost 50 years.
Another New Zealander, Don Wright, also designed an improved version of the teardrop shaped surf ski in the 1930’s and yet another New Zealander, Duke Gillies, developed a cheaper more seaworthy alternative to the surf boat in 1933.
In 1932 the New Zealand Surf Life Saving Association was formed.
On the Hibiscus Coast we have two Surf Life Saving clubs at Orewa and Red Beach.
The Orewa Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1950 and is situated at the northern end of the beach. With the first proper clubhouse being opened in 1960 the club operated a skating rink until the early 1990’s. An upstairs was added in the late 1970’s. Fundraising is currently underway to develop a new clubhouse.
The club is proud to have served the community for over 70 years, have approxc 1,200 members and have conducted over 1,200 rescues since 1950.
The Red Beach Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1953 after Orewa life savers had difficulty reaching a swimmer in trouble who could have been reached more easily from Red Beach.
Whilst operating out of a shed for a number of years the clubhouse was officially opened in 1959. The original clubhouse was replaced by the current building in 1982. If you would like further information about either of our local clubs please visit their websites at https://www.orewasurfclub.org.nz/ and https://www.redbeachslsc.com/
