The National Geographic Society curated photo exhibition Pristine Seas: Bringing the Ocean Back, opens at NPDC’s Puke Ariki Museum on Saturday 7 June 2025.

The exhibition, for which Puke Ariki is New Zealand’s exclusive venue, draws upon over a decade worth of global expeditions conducted by the National Geographic Pristine Seas project to document and protect the ocean so it can heal, rebound, and regenerate.

The exhibition highlights the importance of marine protected areas (MPAs) as a mechanism for protecting and restoring the world’s ocean. Through the exhibition’s narrative, photography, and film, visitors will learn how the Pristine Seas team supports indigenous peoples, local communities and governments in the creation of MPAs.

Visitors will explore the team’s expeditions ranging from the tropical coral reefs of the Southern Line Islands to the icebergs of the Antarctic Peninsula. Through stunning imagery and stories that highlight the scientific methods used on these expeditions, the exhibition will showcase Pristine Seas’ continued commitment to protecting ocean life.

Since 2008, the National Geographic Pristine Seas project has carried out 44 expeditions and helped establish 27 marine protected areas covering over 6.5 million square kilometres of ocean—an area more than twice the size of India.

“This exhibition exemplifies the Pristine Seas team’s dedication to educating audiences about the importance of Marine Protected Areas and their contribution to a healthy ocean which provides everything from oxygen, livelihoods and food for local communities and incredible beauty,” said Emily Dunham, chief campus and experiences officer at the National Geographic Society.

“With the team’s combined experience in exploration, scientific research and powerful storytelling, visitors will dive deep into strikingly beautiful stories and images from the wildest places in the ocean while learning how we must preserve it.”

The Pristine Seas team combines exploration and rigorous research with powerful storytelling. The goal of this exhibition is to immerse visitors in the beauty of the sea while reiterating why we must preserve it.”

Puke Ariki Museum Manager Frith Williams says local audiences are in for an eye-opening experience.

“In this special region surrounded by the moana, Puke Ariki is thrilled to share National Geographic’s Pristine Seas. The stunning photographs in the show will be complemented by events for all ages, exploring how we can learn about and protect the ocean around Taranaki – from iwi-led conversation initiatives, like the shellfish rāhui, to creative activities and yoga.

“As we are the exclusive venue for the exhibition in Aotearoa, we hope people from outside the region will visit too, along with our local families and nature lovers.”

National Geographic’s Pristine Seas is on at Puke Ariki Museum’s Temporary Gallery 7 June – 26 October. Find out more at pukeariki.com

About Pristine Seas

Pristine Seas actively supports the global goal of protecting 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030. Not only will this be beneficial for marine life, but also for communities through fisheries benefits, increased food security, and mitigation of climate change.

“To protect vital ocean places, we need to combine research with compelling visuals, to inspire people through both minds and hearts. I am thrilled to bring over a decade of filming and science into the first National Geographic Pristine Seas exhibition,” said Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer in Residence and Pristine Seas Executive Director.

Fast Facts:

• National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organisation that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.
• Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents.
• Its work reaches three million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content.
• To learn more, visit nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, X and Facebook.
• Puke Ariki, meaning Hill of Chiefs, stands on a former prominent Pā site in central New Plymouth, and opened as a combined library and museum in 2003.
• The museum presents both long-term and regularly changing exhibitions across six gallery spaces.
• Puke Ariki also houses a research centre, restaurant and café, and the district’s isite visitor information and ticketing hub.

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