A much-loved Nelson story was brought to life for local whānau during a packed school holiday event at the Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre.
The celebration focused on Herbert the Brave Sea Dog, the true story of a Nelson family dog who survived more than 30 hours alone at sea after falling overboard in the Marlborough Sounds.
Through storytelling, artwork and interactive activities, children and families explored the dramatic events that have made Herbert’s story a local classic.
One surprise moment for participants was ‘Tim’s dad’ from the book, making a real-life appearance at the event. In the story, the character is not consistently given a name and is generally referred to simply as Tim’s dad in most retellings.
Hands-on Herbert-themed art workshops were run by Art Group Nelson, giving children the chance to experiment with different mediums and techniques while responding creatively to the story.
The Nelson Public Libraries team added a digital element, running a coding-based challenge that saw participants helping to track Herbert and his lost friends through the treacherous waters of French Pass.
Hosted by CLM (Community Leisure Management), the event was organised by Gareth Cashin, manager of Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows, and developed with support and funding from the TUKU 26 Whakatū Programme, a Nelson City Council initiative.
Herbert the Brave Sea Dog is set in New Zealand and is based on the true story of a Nelson family travelling by boat to their bach in the Marlborough Sounds. During the trip, their dog Herbert fell overboard and was lost at sea.
After being missing for more than 30 hours, Herbert was eventually rescued, an outcome that has made the story well known locally for both its extraordinary survival and its strong connection to the Nelson region.
