Capturing history in the making

The challenge

Capturing a flotilla of tall ships on a very windy day is not for the faint hearted! With the Tuia 250 flotilla due to arrive in Whangarei Harbour, on its voyage around NZ, Whangarei District Council and the Hihiaua Cultural Centre wanted to capture the event. Creating both archival footage and shareable social media content for those who were unable to see the boats arrive.

The solution

Our drone operators and photographers took to the shores. Using multiple drone operators and photographers required a heap of organisation, including permits to fly close to the Whangarei Airport. The footage taken alongside the fleet captures the amazing scale and speed of the boats. This is intertwined with the excitement of the local school children and spectators welcoming the flotilla with traditional waiata.

The video was released on social media within hours of the boats arriving, generating a huge positive response. The ships’ arrival and the associated events have been included in Hihiaua’s archives.