Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
South Dunedin is one of the lowest lying suburban areas in Aotearoa, with many of its houses sitting less than 50cm above sea level. In June 2015 the area was subjected to intense flooding when 175mm of rain fell in a 24-hour period. The naturally high-water table, a result of the area being a reclaimed wetland, combined with infrastructural issues resulted in hundreds of homes being flooded. The event began a reckoning from both the community and authorities with the impacts of increasingly severe weather events due to climate change.
Commissioned with the support of the 2024 APRA Art Music Fund and Creative New Zealand, ‘this rising tide, these former wetlands’ combines the histories and stories of the South Dunedin area with the lived experiences of the community gathered through Nathaniel’s interviews and research. The work also incorporates pertinent objects from around South Dunedin in the percussion. This includes ecologically linked objects such as dune grass brushes, driftwood, and rocks as well as objects from South Dunedin’s industrial history including railway track, brake drums, suspension coils, and wooden boxes.
Performed by the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, conductor Brent Stewart, at King's and Queen's Performing Arts Centre, 16 August 2025. Audio recorded by Danny Buchanan. Filmed by Chris Watson for SOUNZ. Film funded by NZ On Air.
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Learn more about the composers and performers of music from Aotearoa New Zealand on our website (sounz.org.nz), or by following us on Facebook (@SOUNZnz), Instagram (@sounz_nz), or TikTok (@sounz_nz).
#nzmusic
South Dunedin is one of the lowest lying suburban areas in Aotearoa, with many of its houses sitting less than 50cm above sea level. In June 2015 the area was subjected to intense flooding when 175mm of rain fell in a 24-hour period. The naturally high-water table, a result of the area being a reclaimed wetland, combined with infrastructural issues resulted in hundreds of homes being flooded. The event began a reckoning from both the community and authorities with the impacts of increasingly severe weather events due to climate change.
Commissioned with the support of the 2024 APRA Art Music Fund and Creative New Zealand, ‘this rising tide, these former wetlands’ combines the histories and stories of the South Dunedin area with the lived experiences of the community gathered through Nathaniel’s interviews and research. The work also incorporates pertinent objects from around South Dunedin in the percussion. This includes ecologically linked objects such as dune grass brushes, driftwood, and rocks as well as objects from South Dunedin’s industrial history including railway track, brake drums, suspension coils, and wooden boxes.
Performed by the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, conductor Brent Stewart, at King's and Queen's Performing Arts Centre, 16 August 2025. Audio recorded by Danny Buchanan. Filmed by Chris Watson for SOUNZ. Film funded by NZ On Air.
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Learn more about the composers and performers of music from Aotearoa New Zealand on our website (sounz.org.nz), or by following us on Facebook (@SOUNZnz), Instagram (@sounz_nz), or TikTok (@sounz_nz).
#nzmusic
