TecFestNZ 2021 Presentation by Annika Andresen

Annika Andresen is Head of Programmes for BLAKE, sharing her passion with thousands of Kiwis to their marine environment. Her interests in design, communication and the aquatic environment have led to integrating scientific exploration with visual storytelling to enhance knowledge and understanding of the ocean to a broader public consciousness.

Annika holds a Master of Architecture degree and has worked as a dive instructor for Dive Tutukaka. In 2019 she was awarded Westpac New Zealand Women of Influence Youth Award has been selected as the inaugural Global Underwater Explorers NextGen Scholar. 

 

Presentation

NZ-VR is a collaboration between BLAKE and New Zealand Geographic, using virtual reality to allows students to experience the rich biodiversity that exists below the surface of the ocean, as well as the damage that has been done to the ecosystem. The programme has been able to reach 35,000 students across the country, where students experience a number of underwater experiences through 360˚ videos that compare and contrast pristine marine environments and damaged ones.

 

Come explore for yourself what it is like diving at the Kermadecs Islands, the Three Kings, the Poor Knights, White Island and around the Hauraki Gulf.