Behind WAI’s Short Film ‘Water is Life’: A Conversation with Zoe Hawkins

If you can dive in it, you can protect it.

As part of our summer campaign, we’re asking some epic locals how they use the lakes and rivers and what’s important to them.

Zoe Hawkins is a free-diver, a Lake Hāwea local, and Creative Director behind Brand+Butter, a creative agency for conscious organisations. Zoe was also part of the team who created our recent short film, ‘Water is Life’.

We asked Zoe a few questions about why she was drawn to this project, what she hoped viewers would take away from it and what inspired the concept.

WAI: What was your role in making the short film?

Zoe: Brand+Butter worked with the team at WAI Wānaka to craft a campaign that aimed to increase community understanding and action. To distil the in-depth research and findings of WAI initiatives into a sixty-second film and interactive website that helps people understand what the water cycle entails, why it’s important, the negative impacts at each stage and our role within. And then I somehow ended up as the togged-swimmer in May lake temperatures! (WAI: which we are ever grateful for!)

WAI: What drew you to this project?

Zoe: Brand+Butter is a creative agency for conscious organisations, and WAI Wānaka is our perfect fit. We jumped at the chance to work alongside their passionate, skilled team to communicate this essential message. Our lakes and rivers are in decline and people need to know about it before it’s too late. 

WAI: What message do you hope viewers will take away from the film?

Zoe: We hope that viewers have a deeper understanding of how our local water cycle works and what we need to do to protect it. To head to the website and find out more. To have a healthy curiosity about this amazing resource many of us take for granted, where things are going wrong and what we need to do to make sure we still have it in five, ten and fifty years. Then come along to a volunteer event, adopt a drain, make a donation or spread the good word around town. 

WAI: Were there any moments during filming that stood out to you?

Zoe: Aware of the decline in water quality, we knew that we would be filming in some less than ideal conditions. What we didn’t expect was how murky and barren some of the locations would be. There was such a stark contrast between different parts of the lakes, showing just how much our activity in and around the water affects this precious element we rely on so much. It reminded the crew why we were there.

While I only moved to this epic little town eight years ago, many of the crew members grew up here and are lake swimmers or free divers. They have witnessed the change over the last forty years, and filming underwater with slow-motion cameras cemented their drive to do more.

WAI: What inspired the concept for this film?

Zoe: The concept that underpins this film and the supporting campaign is ‘water is life’. It talks to the idea that our people, flora and fauna need clean water to survive. When water is safe and healthy, so are we. We wanted to show how water is intrinsically vital to every season, person, place and business. 

We also wanted to show how beautiful water is – on its own and when influencing the elements around it. The forming of clouds, the falling of snow, droplets, bubbles and the flow of a river. To capture this, we used a special camera that filmed in slow-motion – and of course, some DIY housing to keep the water out! Though our wonderful photographer may have lost a camera in the process. 

WAI: What creative choices were made to reflect WAI’s values?

Zoe: It was really important that we showed real members of the community and the WAI team throughout the film. Filmed at Lake Hāwea, Lake Wānaka, Bullock Creek and on Glen Dene Station, with talent ranging from WAI staff, trustees, tamariki and crew jumping in front of the camera. This was a local production with heart and soul.

WAI: Why do you think this story matters right now?

Zoe: The quality of lakes and rivers are in decline and with the increase in population, this is only going to get worse. Now is the time to look around, learn about what’s impacting this vital resource and find out what we can do to protect it.

If we carry on the way we are, in fifty years we might not be able to swim in these lakes and rivers, let alone drink from them. Our snow could be contaminated and our native plants and animals extinct. Now is the time to take action and protect the lifeblood of our home. 

Learn more about the Upper Clutha water cycle and watch the 60″ short film here.

Photos by the ever talented, local photographer Deanna Gerlach.

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