Living dream filming for young explorers

WHAT LIES BENEATH: Energetic and full of exciting stories, the stars of Young Ocean Explorers were in Gisborne this week to visit schools and inspire Kiwi kids about what lives in our oceans. Underwater camerman Steve Hathaway films while his 14-year-old daughter Riley hosts the series about what lies beneath the sea. At the back are Gisborne Intermediate students Henare Tofilau and Cullum Collier, in front Montana Te Kani-Williams, Kate Schultze, cameraman Steve Hathaway, Briana Ingoe, show host Riley Hathaway and Shekinah Karikari. Picture by Liam Clayton

WHEN Steve Hathaway was 10, he was a self-confessed “scaredy cat” when snorkelling with his Dad. Today he is an underwater cameraman who has filmed for the BBC, National Geographic and Young Ocean Explorers — a New Zealand television programme hosted by his 14-year-old daughter Riley.

“It’s not how you start that determines how you end up. You can overcome your fears,” Steve told students at Gisborne Intermediate this week as part of a nationwide tour to inspire Kiwi kids about what lives under our oceans.

About eight years Steve quit his day job as a builder to chase his dream as an underwater cameraman.

The “light bulb” moment of doing a television show with his new skills came after Riley did a school video project about turtles and saw the reaction from the kids.

“I asked Riley, “Would you like to make more of these videos?” She replied enthusiastically “yes!” and fired back “we could do sharks, orca, Maui’s dolphins . . .” and Young Ocean Explorers was born.”

Today, the 45-year-old is living the dream and says it is better than he ever imagined because he is getting to do it with his family.

Over the next two weeks Steve and his wife Jo are on a road trip around New Zealand with three of their four kids in a five-berth motor home. Steve and Riley host talks at schools about their adventures to spark interest in the younger generation about what lives under our seas.

Gisborne was of particular interest for a visit because Gisborne man Rees Morley has been a huge part of the story, said Steve. Under his design label mdg, Rhys designed the book “Love Our Ocean”, which is available as a reader giveaway along with a DVD of the series Young Ocean Explorers.

The dad and daughter duo visited Gisborne Intermediate, Central School and Wainui Beach School and are travelling to the South Island this week.