The Blue Pearl Journal

  From our home on Arapawa Island, we watch the sun rise over Tory Channel nearly every morning. The water shifts from deep indigo to brilliant turquoise as light spreads across the Marlborough Sounds. After more than thirty years here,...

  The final days of November bring the most spectacular sunsets of the year to the Marlborough Sounds. Golden light spills across the water, and for a moment the sounds glows in tones no artist could replicate.  We’ve captured that...

Why New Zealand Needs More Paua Farms: Lessons from Arapawa Blue Pearls At Arapawa Blue Pearls, we've spent over 30 years perfecting the art and science of land-based paua farming. Our journey has been filled with challenges, breakthroughs, and invaluable...

    If you’re looking to elevate your wardrobe with timeless elegance, the collaboration between Arapawa Blue Pearls and Montipi is the perfect inspiration. This partnership combines the ocean-inspired shimmer of paua pearl jewellery with the sophisticated charm of Montipi...

  Celebrating Craftsmanship, Connection and Coastal Elegance Across the sea, in the heart of Australia, lives a boutique that shares our love for meaningful craftsmanship and timeless design — Montipi. Founded by Morgan, Montipi curates elegant bags and accessories that reflect individuality,...

Whaling Station Opening 2010 Toni Halliday (née Cormack) sat down with interviewer Loreen Brehaut in January 2006 to share a vivid oral history of life in Tory Channel, New Zealand, a remote part of Marlborough Sounds history steeped in tradition,...

  Nestled deep within the Marlborough Sounds, surrounded by calm turquoise waters and lush native bush, lies a place where ocean and artistry meet,  Arapawa Blue Pearls, home to the only New Zealand pearl farm open for guided visitors. This...

  Ocean Stewards: Arapawa's Commitment to Marine Conservation and Sustainable Pearl Farming Most people see pearls as objects of beauty. At Arapawa Blue Pearls, we see them as something more, a commitment to the ocean itself. Since our family began...

  You're holding an Arapawa Blue Pearl, and it's like holding a tiny miracle that took four years to perfect its act. That's longer than most people can keep a houseplant alive! But here's the really mind-blowing part – before...

  When you think of New Zealand's natural wonders, your mind might drift to the All Blacks' legendary haka, snow-capped Southern Alps, or pristine fjords. But beneath the waves of our wild coastal waters lies another iconic treasure—the mighty pāua...

  Strong leadership in Aquaculture is vital to the future of New Zealand’s Blue Economy. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to share that this month Jacob Radon the Leader of our Pāua stock and quiet force behind our operations was selected...

In 2007, Lorna Wratt (née Gardiner) sat down with interviewer Loreen Brehaut to reflect on her to reflect on her unique childhood, a seasonal life shaped by the rhythm of the Perano Whaling Station and the remote beauty of the...

In a world where we expect same-day delivery, binge-watch entire seasons in a weekend, and lose our minds if a webpage takes more than three seconds to load, our blue pearls are out here living their best slow life. They're...

The Marlborough Sounds - Toni Cormack Slides  In a quiet home in Renwick, Kenneth Robert Gardiner shared a vivid recollection of his childhood with interviewer Loreen Brehaut in 2007. A seasonal community of whalers, wives, and children made their way...

When Pearl Farmers Take Their First Real Break in 18 Years (Plot Twist: It's Still All About Pearls) Their last holiday was in 2007 So here's the thing about being completely obsessed with pearl farming: You've spent nearly a quarter-century...

Standing on the rocky shores of New Zealand's coastline at low tide, the retreating water reveals nature's hidden treasures scattered across the dark rocks. A sudden flash of iridescent blue-green catches your eye among the seaweed and barnacles, something infinitely...

At Arapawa Blue Pearls, we've spent years perfecting the art of turning ocean treasures into jewellery that makes people stop mid-conversation. There's something profoundly satisfying about watching someone hold one of our gold pearl necklace pieces for the first time,...

Hey there, fellow adventurers and jewellery enthusiasts! The pearl farm tours are officially back in business, which means our little slice of aquatic paradise on Arapaoa Island is once again buzzing with visitors who've made the journey to witness what...

At Arapawa Blue Pearls, we've spent years perfecting the art of transforming New Zealand's most stunning ocean treasures into jewellery that captures hearts worldwide. Here's everything you need to know about paua shell jewellery, straight from the experts who live...

Picture this: you're standing in a jewellery store, staring at two nearly identical pieces of pearl jewellery NZ has to offer, and the only difference is that one's set in gold, the other in platinum. It's like choosing between Batman...

New to paua? You’re in for something distinctly Aotearoa. With its striking blue-green shell and rich, oceanic flavour, paua is one of New Zealand’s most prized delicacies, equally celebrated in fine cuisine and fine jewellery. Whether it’s tucked into a...