Why Kids Might Be The Ocean’s Best Hope (EP37 with Steve Hathaway, Young Ocean Explorers)
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Most of our relationship with the ocean happens on the surface. We sail it, fish it, surf it and photograph it. But beneath that glistening blue is a world many of us barely understand - and one that is changing fast.
In this episode, we sit down with Steve Hathaway from Young Ocean Explorers to explore a powerful idea: if we help kids fall in love with the ocean, we can change how we treat it within a generation.
After decades spent diving, filming and documenting marine life, Steve had a lightbulb moment when his daughter shared a short ocean video with her class. The reaction from those kids sparked what would become Young Ocean Explorers - a mission to reach every child in Aotearoa with hopeful, curiosity-driven ocean storytelling.
We talk about eco-anxiety, the impact of screens, the decline of kelp forests, and why “out of sight, out of mind” has allowed marine degradation to accelerate. We also unpack how targeting kids can influence whole families, and why storytelling - not shame - is key to bringing more people along.
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Why this generation are not just digital natives, but environmental natives living with real eco-anxiety
Steve’s personal journey to becoming an ocean advocate
How a school project helped launch Young Ocean Explorers
The power of storytelling and curiosity to spark lasting engagement
Why targeting teachers became a game-changing strategy
The “One Plus A Day” story and how kids can drive real-world behaviour change
Kelp forests, kina barrens and witnessing rapid ecosystem decline
Why we need courage and vision for marine protection
How to communicate conservation without alienating people
Practical advice for parents wanting to reconnect kids with nature
What it means to be a good ancestor for the ocean
And so much more…
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An ‘accidental’ underwater cameraman, Steve left his job as a builder nearly 20 years ago to share the stories of New Zealand’s underwater world. He traded hammering nails for swimming alongside orca and sharks, going on to film for some of the world’s most celebrated nature documentaries, including BBC’s Blue Planet II, Mammals, and Disney’s Emmy-winning Secrets of the Whales.
In 2013, Steve and his then 12-year-old daughter, Riley, co-founded Young Ocean Explorers. What started as short stories for kids’ television has since evolved into an online platform and education resource, used by thousands of classrooms across Aotearoa to inspire the next generation of ocean guardians.
🔗Learn more:
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The People Helping Nature podcast is brought to you by Conservation Amplified, a registered New Zealand charity.
We are on a mission to help make conservation mainstream by amplifying the awesome stuff people are doing to help nature all around Aotearoa New Zealand.
Because when people are aware, connected to the ecosystems around them and care enough to take positive action, only then will we see lasting change.
Listen in and follow us to start or deepen your journey.