Plans for Matiu/Somes Islands

Stuff reports:

An island in Wellington Harbour is set to be turned into a hi-tech tourist attraction by Sir Peter Jackson.

Matiu/Somes Island, which is now a predator-free scientific reserve, was New Zealand’s first inner harbour lighthouse and has been a human quarantine station, an internment camp, military defence position, and an animal quarantine station.

Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust (PNBST) chairman Neville Baker said he met with Jackson to discuss how his Wellington-based production companies could create a world-class tourism offering on the island.

The movie mogul had committed to investigate a joint project with the Weta Group using digital storytelling and the latest in virtual and augmented reality technology.

The project would examine what life was like for the island’s first Maori inhabitants and encompass the stories and history of the Taranaki Whanui tikanga through digital storytelling and augmented reality.

Sounds a great idea. My idea of a perfect Wellington weekend is to kayak to Matiu/Somes on a fine day, walk around the island, take in the incredible views, and have a picnic lunch there.