Furthest Frontier: Tamatea/Dusky Sound, produced by Toitu Otago Settlers Museum and presented by curator Sean Brosnahan, is a seven part series that tells the stories of the little known, but important, social history of the remote area.
It was filmed during a week-long expedition in the sound last July by an eight-member team from the museum, Heritage New Zealand and Fiordland Expeditions.
Expedition director William McKee said during the course of the series, maritime archaeologists perform the first official archaeological surveys of Captain Cook’s anchorage point in Pickersgill Harbour, and the wreck sites of Endeavour (not Captain Cook's vessel from his first journey to New Zealand) and Waikare.
"The Endeavour is the oldest-known European wreck in New Zealand waters, and has been heavily pilfered over the last 225 years."
The archaeologists were able to confirm that a large part of the wreck still existed beneath the original ballast stones.
Filming in a remote location did not come without its challenges.
Mr McKee said some of the historic sites were deeply overgrown and nearly inaccessible.
The team were sometimes going off directions in the form of obscure footnotes in history books and it hailed for nearly three days straight.
Despite that, he would do it again in a heartbeat, he said.
"It’s one of the most special, unique places in our country.
"To be able to bring these stories to life and share them through such a low-cost production is hugely satisfying."
The production of the film took place shortly after the Covid-19 Level 4 and 3 restrictions were lifted, with support from Fiordland Expeditions operator Richard Abernethy, who accommodated the expedition on his boat, Tutoko II.
"It renewed the sense of appreciation of our stunning surroundings," Mr McKee said.
"Bringing together a team of highly skilled professionals during the turmoil of a pandemic was also satisfying."
The series also features maritime archaeologists Dr Matt Carter and Kurt Bennett.
Dr Carter is a noted maritime archaeologist, and Mr Bennett is an expert on Endeavour.
Specialist knowledge was also offered by James York, of Oraka Aparima, and Heritage New Zealand’s Sarah Gallagher.
The docu-series will be released in weekly episodes on the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum YouTube channel and Facebook page, starting with Duskey Bay Charted 1770-1773 at 9.30am on Saturday.
Some episodes will also contribute to later displays at the museum.
