Zoe Hawkins on bringing Wānaka’s water story to life

Lake Hāwea local and free diver Zoe Hawkins helped shape WAI Wānaka’s new short film through her creative agency Brand+Butter. The challenge was turning complex water research into a clear, 60 second story that shows how our water cycle works, why it matters, and where things are going wrong. It also meant Zoe jumping in front of the camera, swimming in May lake temperatures.

For Zoe, the project mattered because our lakes and rivers are in decline. She hopes the film sparks curiosity, gets people learning more, and encourages simple action to protect this vital resource. Filming underwater revealed stark contrasts in water quality, reinforcing why this story needs to be told now.