Maʻuke welcomes Tumu the octopus

It’s been a busy and exciting week on the island of Maʻuke. Not only did the New Zealand Army arrive to provide much-needed water servicing support, but the community also welcomed a unique visitor, Tumu, a large inflatable pink octopus with a powerful environmental message.

Tumu isn’t just any octopus. It’s a symbolic representation of the Casper octopus, a rarely seen deep-sea creature first discovered in 2016 at depths of around 4,000 meters near the Hawaiian archipelago. With its pale, ghostly appearance and mysterious nature, the Casper octopus captured global scientific interest and has become a poster species for the need to protect deep-sea ecosystems.

Tumu, the inflatable version has become a global ambassador for ocean advocacy. It began its awareness campaign in Prague in 2023, where it was displayed outside the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade to highlight the threats of deep-sea mining. Since then, Tumu has traveled the world, including a stop in Rarotonga earlier this year for “Defend the Deep” day. Now, its presence in Maʻuke continues to spread awareness about the fragile beauty and importance of the ocean's depths.

The Casper octopus is a great example of how everything is connected, and you cannot remove one part of an ecosystem without having major impacts. Researchers have discovered that Casper octopuses rely on a specific type of habitat to reproduce — they lay their eggs on the stalks of sponges in the deep sea. These sponges need a hard surface to anchor to, and are found on polymetallic nodules, which are mineral-rich rocks found on the seafloor. If these nodules are removed through deep sea mining, these octopuses lose their only known breeding ground, threatening their survival. Tumu’s visit serves as a stark reminder that the deep ocean, though out of sight, is not out of danger.

To further engage the local community, a screening of the new David Attenborough documentary Oceans was held at Kapitirangi Hall. The film offered captivating footage of marine ecosystems from around the globe, showcasing their diversity, complexity, and vital role in maintaining planetary health. It also shone light on the many threats our oceans face today from destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling and dredging, to overfishing and the exploitation of keystone species such as krill in the Antarctic.

One of the film’s key messages was the urgent need to establish marine protected areas (MPAs) designated zones where commercial activities are either limited or entirely banned. MPAs offer hope for the future by giving ecosystems the chance to recover and regenerate.

The screening left a strong impression on those who attended. Community members shared heartfelt reflections, with comments like “We need to protect our ocean” echoing throughout the evening. The presence of the Member of Parliament for Maʻuke, Stephen Matapo, also added to the success of the evening. Overall, the night was an enjoyable and meaningful experience, bringing the community together in support of ocean protection and care for our environment. The arrival of Tumu and the screening of Oceans including popcorn and locally made scones made it a fun event for the kids. It brought the community together in a shared commitment to care for our oceans, reminding everyone that even the most remote corners of the world have a role to play in a healthy well-functioning planet.