The Heberley farm at Okukari bay

Not only a mesmerising place to visit, the Marlborough Sounds and its bountiful history have inspired many kiwi authors to include the sounds as a setting for their stories to take place in, or for local residents to share their family’s history and experiences of life away from the mainland.

We would like to share some of these books with you.

One notable author who lived a remote life in the Marlborough Sounds is Heather Heberley.

Heather married into the well-known Heberley clan and arrived on Arapawa Island, just inside Tory Channel, from Auckland in 1963 at a time when the Heberley’s were making a shift from whaling to fishing.

In her first book Weather Permitting, Heather regales stories of sea tragedies, the sinking of the Russian cruise ship Mikhail Lermontov and her husband Joe’s role in search and rescues – all these are detailed alongside the often funny, sometimes tragic aspects of the Heberley’s farming and fishing life.

Through her compelling narrative, Heather offers a vivid portrayal of life in the Marlborough Sounds.

Although this book is presently out of print you can find second hand copies online or check in with your local library for a copy.

If there is a book you would like to recommend, then please email communications@pmnz.co.nz