New Zealand Naturally
Relaxing birdsong & soundscapes from ‘Aotearoa’
New Zealand Naturally
Relaxing birdsong & soundscapes from ‘Aotearoa’
Listen to New Zealand… its forests; its birds; its streams. Peaceful sounds from the Southern Hemisphere to soothe away the stresses of life. New Zealand Naturally is a unique collection of birdsong and natural sounds from a country that no one who visits ever forgets. A country that refreshes, replenishes and inspires. Lose yourself in the enchanting calls of Korimako {Bellbirds}, Tūī and Kōkako. Or simply picture yourself on an endless Pacific beach at sunset, lulled by the music of the gently lapping waves. Listen to ‘Aotearoa’ and get as far away from it all as you possibly can!
These relaxing recordings by BBC-trained sound engineer and musician Clive Williamson reveal the true beauty of New Zealand’s natural sounds! Exploring both North and South Islands over a period of 22 years, Clive set out to capture the unique essence of many of NZ’s natural environments. The resulting album celebrates the richness of its wildlife and the achievements of many invaluable conservation projects, which are helping to restore NZ’s endemic birdlife and flora throughout the country.
‘Postcards in Sound’ from a remarkable natural haven!
Each track on the album is presented as a sound journey through a different region of New Zealand. The bird-rich off-shore island sanctuaries of Tiritiri Matangi and Kapiti are both featured, as is geothermal Rotorua and the Pacific coastline of the South Island with its colonies of Little Blue and Yellow Eyed penguins. Another ‘journey’ was recorded in Waitomo and King Country in the centre of North Island, where Clive was caught in a thunderstorm in Mapara Wildlife Reserve. The spectacular rolling thunder is one of the highlights of the album, as is the atmospheric sound of water dripping in Waitomo’s famous glowworm caves afterwards.
The quality of Clive’s digital recordings is astonishing and the sounds from this album have already been championed by the New Zealand Tourism Board in the UK; featured on many BBC and NZ TV and radio programmes; and were chosen by the Royal New Zealand Ballet for their acclaimed touring stage production of The Piano in 2018.
Helping Ecology in New Zealand
During his travels with his digital recorders, Clive was particularly impressed by the dedicated ecological work he encountered all over NZ. “Many of the places I visited were doing an amazing job conserving and restoring New Zealand’s fascinating endemic wildlife,” he says, “like Kapiti Island; Penguin Place near Dunedin; and the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony. But the project that seemed to need the most help was Tiritiri Matangi Island, so we are donating a portion of the royalties from this album to them as a contribution to their marvellous work with endangered species of birds such as the Kōkako, Tīeke (saddleback), Hihi (stitchbird) and Takahē! What really impressed me on my last visit (in 2017) was witnessing the outcome of all the hard work by the Department of Conservation and NZ’s eco-volunteers. Bird populations and habitats are growing and it’s a joy to see and hear the results!”
With its superb recording quality and evocative peaceful atmospheres, anyone can now soothe away the stresses of life and be transported to this wonderful country by listening to New Zealand Naturally.
Background: Some of these recordings were previously released on AOTEAROA – Nature Sounds of New Zealand by Symbiosis (1997). New Zealand Naturally has been completely remastered and adds five new recently recorded tracks, extending the playing time to over 78 minutes. A companion album of NZ birdsong is now available (for download/streaming only) ~ Songs of Hope: The Dawn Chorus, Tiritiri Matangi Island – by Clive Williamson
Of special interest to: Visitors and residents in NZ; Naturalists; Birdwatchers; Eco-tourists; Schools; Museums and Visitor Centres; Holistic Therapists.
New Zealand Naturally
Relaxing birdsong & soundscapes from ‘Aotearoa’
Listen to New Zealand… its forests; its birds; its streams. Peaceful sounds from the Southern Hemisphere to soothe away the stresses of life. New Zealand Naturally is a unique collection of birdsong and natural sounds from a country that no one who visits ever forgets. A country that refreshes, replenishes and inspires. Lose yourself in the enchanting calls of Korimako {Bellbirds}, Tūī and Kōkako. Or simply picture yourself on an endless Pacific beach at sunset, lulled by the music of the gently lapping waves. Listen to ‘Aotearoa’ and get as far away from it all as you possibly can!
These relaxing recordings by BBC-trained sound engineer and musician Clive Williamson reveal the true beauty of New Zealand’s natural sounds! Exploring both North and South Islands over a period of 22 years, Clive set out to capture the unique essence of many of NZ’s natural environments. The resulting album celebrates the richness of its wildlife and the achievements of many invaluable conservation projects, which are helping to restore NZ’s endemic birdlife and flora throughout the country.
‘Postcards in Sound’ from a remarkable natural haven!
Each track on the album is presented as a sound journey through a different region of New Zealand. The bird-rich off-shore island sanctuaries of Tiritiri Matangi and Kapiti are both featured, as is geothermal Rotorua and the Pacific coastline of the South Island with its colonies of Little Blue and Yellow Eyed penguins. Another ‘journey’ was recorded in Waitomo and King Country in the centre of North Island, where Clive was caught in a thunderstorm in Mapara Wildlife Reserve. The spectacular rolling thunder is one of the highlights of the album, as is the atmospheric sound of water dripping in Waitomo’s famous glowworm caves afterwards.
The quality of Clive’s digital recordings is astonishing and the sounds from this album have already been championed by the New Zealand Tourism Board in the UK; featured on many BBC and NZ TV and radio programmes; and were chosen by the Royal New Zealand Ballet for their acclaimed touring stage production of The Piano in 2018.
Helping Ecology in New Zealand
During his travels with his digital recorders, Clive was particularly impressed by the dedicated ecological work he encountered all over NZ. “Many of the places I visited were doing an amazing job conserving and restoring New Zealand’s fascinating endemic wildlife,” he says, “like Kapiti Island; Penguin Place near Dunedin; and the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony.
But the project that seemed to need the most help was Tiritiri Matangi Island, so we are donating a portion of the royalties from this album to them as a contribution to their marvellous work with endangered species of birds such as the Kōkako, Tīeke (saddleback), Hihi (stitchbird) and Takahē!
What really impressed me on my last visit (in 2017) was witnessing the outcome of all the hard work by the Department of Conservation and NZ’s eco-volunteers. Bird populations and habitats are growing and it’s a joy to see and hear the results!”
With its superb recording quality and evocative peaceful atmospheres, anyone can now soothe away the stresses of life and be transported to this wonderful country by listening to New Zealand Naturally.
Background: Some of these recordings were previously released on AOTEAROA – Nature Sounds of New Zealand by Symbiosis (1997). New Zealand Naturally has been completely remastered and adds five new recently recorded tracks, extending the playing time to over 78 minutes. A companion album of NZ birdsong is now available (for download/streaming only) ~ Songs of Hope: The Dawn Chorus, Tiritiri Matangi Island – by Clive Williamson
Of special interest to: Visitors and residents in NZ; Naturalists; Birdwatchers; Eco-tourists; Schools; Museums and Visitor Centres; Holistic Therapists.
During his travels with his tape recorder, Clive was particularly impressed by the dedicated ecological work he encountered all over NZ. “Many of the places I visited were doing an amazing job conserving and restoring New Zealand’s fascinating endemic wildlife,” he says, “like Kapiti Island; the Yellow Eyed Penguin Conservation Reserve near Dunedin; and the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony. But the place that seemed to need the most help was Tiritiri Matangi Island, so we are donating a portion of the royalties from this album to them as a contribution to their marvellous work with endangered species of birds such as the kōkako, saddleback, stitchbird and takahē!”
Listen to New Zealand… its forests; its birds; its streams. Peaceful sounds from the Southern Hemisphere to soothe away the stresses of life. New Zealand Naturally is a unique collection of birdsong and natural sounds from a country that no one who visits ever forgets. A country that refreshes, replenishes and inspires. Lose yourself in the enchanting calls of Korimako {Bellbirds}, Tūī and Kōkako. Or simply picture yourself on an endless Pacific beach at sunset, lulled by the music of the gently lapping waves. Listen to ‘Aotearoa’ and get as far away from it all as you possibly can!
These relaxing recordings by BBC-trained sound engineer and musician Clive Williamson reveal the true beauty of New Zealand’s natural sounds! Exploring both North and South Islands over a period of 22 years, Clive set out to capture the unique essence of many of NZ’s natural environments. The resulting album celebrates the richness of its wildlife and the achievements of many invaluable conservation projects, which are helping to restore NZ’s endemic birdlife and flora throughout the country.
‘Postcards in Sound’ from a remarkable natural haven!
Each track on the album is presented as a sound journey through a different region of New Zealand. The bird-rich off-shore island sanctuaries of Tiritiri Matangi and Kapiti are both featured, as is geothermal Rotorua and the Pacific coastline of the South Island with its colonies of Little Blue and Yellow Eyed penguins. Another ‘journey’ was recorded in Waitomo and King Country in the centre of North Island, where Clive was caught in a thunderstorm in Mapara Wildlife Reserve. The spectacular rolling thunder is one of the highlights of the album, as is the atmospheric sound of water dripping in Waitomo’s famous glowworm caves afterwards.
The quality of Clive’s digital recordings is astonishing and the sounds from this album have already been championed by the New Zealand Tourism Board in the UK; featured on many BBC and NZ TV and radio programmes; and were chosen by the Royal New Zealand Ballet for their acclaimed touring stage production of The Piano in 2018.
Helping Ecology in New Zealand…
During his travels with his digital recorders, Clive was particularly impressed by the dedicated ecological work he encountered all over NZ. “Many of the places I visited were doing an amazing job conserving and restoring New Zealand’s fascinating endemic wildlife,” he says, “like Kapiti Island; Penguin Place near Dunedin; and the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony.
But the project that seemed to need the most help was Tiritiri Matangi Island, so we are donating a portion of the royalties from this album to them as a contribution to their marvellous work with endangered species of birds such as the Kōkako, Tīeke (saddleback), Hihi (stitchbird) and Takahē! What really impressed me on my last visit (in 2017) was witnessing the outcome of all the hard work by the Department of Conservation and NZ’s eco-volunteers. Bird populations and habitats are growing and it’s a joy to see and hear the results!”
With its superb recording quality and evocative peaceful atmospheres, anyone can now soothe away the stresses of life and be transported to this wonderful country by listening to New Zealand Naturally.
Background: Some of these recordings were previously released on AOTEAROA – Nature Sounds of New Zealand by Symbiosis (1997). New Zealand Naturally has been completely remastered and adds five new recently recorded tracks, extending the playing time to over 78 minutes. A companion album of NZ birdsong is now available (for download/streaming only) ~ Songs of Hope: The Dawn Chorus, Tiritiri Matangi Island – by Clive Williamson
Of special interest to: Visitors and residents in NZ; Naturalists; Birdwatchers; Eco-tourists; Schools; Museums and Visitor Centres; Holistic Therapists.
Hear New Zealand Naturally
Buy the Album ~ formats: CD or Digital Download
To download, follow the links below. Order the full CD version of this album from our Secure Online Store (including PayPal) in the UK or from Marbecks Records in New Zealand.
(Six tracks from this album are still available on the previously-released CD Aotearoa – Nature Sounds of New Zealand)
“I love listening to ‘New Zealand Naturally’ – it gives me time to reflect and reminisce on this beautiful island where I once lived. The special sounds have been captured in such a unique way, which brings joy to listen to!” Becky Wilcock (Reflexologist, Torbay)
Sounds & Locations
Features sounds from: Wai-O-Tapu and Waimangu Thermal Reserves (Rotorua), Waitomo Glowworm Caves, the Hauraki Gulf, Kaikoura, birdsong and bird calls including tūī, korimako (or makomako) {North Island bellbird}, tīeke {saddleback}, kākā, kea, pīwakawaka {fantail}, ruru {morepork}, pōpokotea {whitehead}, toutouwai {NZ North Island robin}, hihi {stitchbird}, kākāriki {red-crowned parakeet}, riroriro {grey warbler}, hoiho {yellow-eyed penguin}, kororā {blue penguin}, weka, kihikihi {cicadas}, chaffinch, yellowhammer, song-thrush, sparrow & Australian magpie, Tiritiri Matangi and Kapiti islands, gentle rainfall, distant thunder, surf, Mapara Reserve, Shakespear Regional Park, Ngā Manu Sanctuary, Whangaparaoa Bay, the dawn chorus, temperate rain forests, and the Pacific ocean.
Additional recordings from 1995/6, 2001 and 2017 add the sounds of: kōkako, kiwi, South Island bellbirds, kererū {NZ pigeon}, miromiro {tomtit}, kōtare {NZ kingfisher}, blackbird, wētā, and Lake Rotoiti (Bellbird Walk).
Credits & Thanks
Thank you to all those who helped with the recording of this album, and especially to Nora Correa Jimenez, Mary-Ann Rowland, Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi, Dr Hilary Chung, photographer Trevor Hardy and Marita Vandenberg (2017); Barbara & Ray Walter, Howard McGrouther, staff at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, Emily Jane Sinclair and Ines Perey (1995/6); and to Roger Marbeck for his continued support for this project in NZ.
“Your NZ sounds have been so helpful and therapeutic. Thank you for letting me go into the bush despite not being physically able to.” Fiona D, NZ
Find more beautiful natural sounds from New Zealand on the relaxing new album At Peace With Nature.