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Christchurch has taught us that we do indeed live in ‘the shaky isles’. As Aucklanders we share the ever present possibility of natural disaster.

In a riveting Saturday afternoon session at the Going West literary weekend, Landfall in Unknown Seas, Bruce Hayward along with colleagues Sam Elworthy and Gordon Maitland will discuss the very timely Volcanoes of Auckland, a study of the fragile crust on which we live out our daily lives and a celebration of the rich history associated with these iconic Auckland landforms.  

Dr Bruce Hayward is a self-employed geologist and marine ecologist and author of numerous scientific works including over 20 books on aspects of New Zealand’s geology, paleontology, marine ecology, lichens, conservation, archaeology and history. He is co-author of Kauri Timber Dams, Waitakere Kauri, Kauri Gum and the Gumdiggers, Cinemas of Auckland, Story of NZ Fossils, Guide to NZ Building Stones, Volcanoes and Earthquakes of NZ and A Field Guide to Auckland. Former positions include President Geological Society of NZ, member Auckland Conservation Board and NZ Conservation Authority, curator of Marine Invertebrates at Auckland Museum and micro paleontologist NZ Geological Survey.

Sam Elworthy grew up on a farm in South Canterbury and went to university in Dunedin where he wrote a history of student life, Ritual Song of Defiance. He spent 15 years in the United States, completing a Ph.D. in history and then publishing books and leading the editorial team as Editor-in-Chief at Princeton University Press. Now living in Devonport, he is the Director of Auckland University Press and Chairman of the Michael King Writers’ Studio Trust.

Gordon Maitland is Curator Pictorial at the Auckland Museum. His main concern is photographs, paintings and drawings. Since joining the staff of the museum in 1975 he has always retained responsibility for the huge photograph collection. During his 36 year tenure his position has shifted from library matters to curatorial and research concerns. Trained as an archaeologist and librarian, and recipient of a Winston Churchill Trust Fellowship to study the nature and care of large photograph collections, Gordon has curated many museum exhibitions and carried out image research for numerous book publications.