In the underwater world of Wellington, New Zealand, marine ecologist Dr. Nicole Miller has dedicated her life to the seaweed forests she loves. With over 800 hours spent beneath the surface, Nicole embarks on her most ambitious mission yet: SCUBA diving the entire 70-kilometre coastline to assess the health of Wellington’s Giant Kelp Forests.
Armed with her camera and a deep sense of purpose, Nicole brings these hidden ecosystems to life through vivid photography, public art, and immersive virtual reality. Along the way, she reveals the stark reality of kina barrens—lifeless underwater deserts created by overfishing, pollution, and climate change.
This 16-minute documentary follows Nicole’s extraordinary journey to inspire connection and action, spotlighting the urgent need to monitor and protect these vital marine forests—essential to life both below and above the waves.
Bec’s work as a director and producer spans both international platforms—such as Netflix, the United Nations International Seabed Authority, and YouTube—and grassroots initiatives including Manta Watch New Zealand, Project Reef Taranaki, and Explore Your Coast. After earning her Master of Communication Studies, she founded Salty Slate Productions to follow her passion for telling stories about remarkable people working to protect life beneath the waves.
Directing this film was an invitation to slow down, submerge, and truly see. Nicole’s journey—meticulously documenting Wellington’s underwater forests—opened my eyes to the quiet resilience and vulnerability of these kelp-covered coastlines. Beneath the surface lies a forest of swaying giants, rich with life and wonder, yet increasingly under threat.
Through Nicole’s lens, we don’t just see algae and seaweed—we witness an entire ecosystem holding on, still full of beauty and possibility. Her work reveals a living coastline, woven with stories of change, loss, and hope.
My hope is that this film not only honours Nicole’s dedication but also stirs something in each of us—a deeper sense of connection and responsibility to care for the forests beneath the waves, before they disappear forever.