Plant & Food Research is proud to support the WWF 2022 Whale Tales Art Trail. The event is inspired by the Bryde’s whale, a taonga species listed as nationally critical. Bryde’s whale is a baleen whale, like humpbacks and blue whales, and the Hauraki Gulf is one of the few places the Byrde’s whales live all year round. The Bryde tail has been chosen as a symbol for this event to represent a healthy ocean.

The Whale Tales art trail is presented by World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) in partnership with Wild in Art and Auckland Unlimited. WWF is the world’s largest independent conservation organisation and since 1975, has been working in Aotearoa with local communities, and in partnership with government and industry, using the best possible science to advocate effective conservation policy. WWF are dedicated to finding ways to fish sustainably and use innovative solutions to protect Aotearoa’s future. This fits with Plant & Food Research’s aspirations – including exploring low impact ways to provide sustainable food sources from the ocean and utilising 100% of the catch.

Over the twelve weeks of the event we will be encouraging our employees, stakeholders and friends to take the time to enjoy the beautiful harbours of Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland and visit the sculptures.

As part of this event Plant & Food Research is also presenting at the WWF-NZ Seminar Series on March 18 (see seminar calendar for details).

“My artwork is inspired by the matchless beauty and incredible diversity of species in the underwater world. As a European migrant, I was captivated by the coastal treasures of Tāmaki Makaurau and admire the conservation efforts to protect this taonga. All living creatures on earth are connected and I wanted to show that for each whale there are countless other species making up the marine ecosystem. I hope this project will contribute to public awareness of biodiversity protection”

– artist, Nathalie Drujon.

Watch our interview with Nathalie

Events and news

The Whale Tales art trail runs from January 24 to April 18, 2022 and features 80 whale tails painted by artists from around Aotearoa. The tails are on show in streets, parks and public spaces in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau. Money raised will support WWF work to protect and restore Aotearoa’s marine environment in the Hauraki Gulf.

The Plant & Food Research sponsored tail “Creatures de la mer” is located in Jellicoe Plaza, Silo Park.

Visit our tail and go in the draw to win a framed illustration of the tail signed by artist Nathalie Drujon and a weekly prize draw of illustrated whale tail steel drink bottles. Please note, this competition is not available to Plant & Food Research employees.

Seminar series

As part of this event Plant & Food Research presented at the WWF-NZ Seminar Series on March 17, 6pm. Suzy Black, Science Team Leader (Seafood Production) presents; “Sashimi hoki – huh?” How fish-centric technology development has improved fish welfare and quality outcomes. Watch Suzy's presentation below:

Details

The Whale Tales art trail runs from January 24 to April 18, 2022 and features 80 whale tails painted by artists from around Aotearoa. The tails are on show in streets, parks and public spaces in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau. Money raised will support WWF work to protect and restore Aotearoa’s marine environment in the Hauraki Gulf.

The Plant & Food Research sponsored tail “Creatures de la mer” is located in Jellicoe Plaza, Silo Park, number 43 on the trail map below.