Auckland's iconic SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium is celebrating four decades, and is asking visitors to help tell its story.
The aquarium, the brainchild of marine archaeologist and diver Kelly Tarlton, opened in 1985.
It gets over 400,000 visitors annually. The aquarium showcases more than 30 live animal exhibits in habitat displays, including the world's largest Antarctic penguin colony exhibit, and underwater viewing tunnels.
To honour its history, the team at Kelly Tarlton's was asking visitors for photos, stories, and memories of the aquarium over the past 40 years.
General Manager Dan Henderson. Photo: Shanel Hall
General Manager Dan Henderson said it was about more than nostalgia.
"It's about celebrating the deep connections forged over the years. It's about grandparents bringing their grandchildren to the same place they visited decades ago, creating a legacy of shared experiences.
"It's about locals who have made SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's a part of their lives and international visitors captivated by the magic of our underwater world," Henderson said.
Visitors can share their contributions, including photos, videos, and stories, by emailing them to memories1985@kellytarltons.co.nz.
They plan to celebrate all year, he said.
"We're looking to spark inspiring conversations, rekindle memories, and highlight the incredible bond between SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's and the community it has served for four decades."
A visionary's legacy
Photo: Shanel Hall
In the early 1980s, Tarlton envisioned an aquarium with a viewing tunnel running through a large tank, offering visitors an unparalleled underwater experience.
Despite initial plans to build in Paihia, local resistance pushed Tarlton to Auckland's Tamaki Drive, where he repurposed disused sewage tanks from the 1960s.
With a budget of $2.2 million, Tarlton designed much of the facility himself, enlisting the help of family and friends.
Construction began in 1984, and within 10 months the aquarium was ready to open.
The innovative design included 7-centimetre-thick acrylic tunnels that created an immersive experience, although the light refraction made fish appear one-third smaller than their actual size.
A unique feature was the travellator, which allowed visitors to glide through the tunnels.
When the aquarium opened its doors it was home to 20 sharks and 1000 fish.
Just seven weeks after opening, the aquarium welcomed its 100,000th visitor. The morning after the milestone was reached, Tarlton died in his sleep of heart failure, aged 47.
Over the years, SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's expanded and evolved.
In 1994, it added a replica of Captain Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic hut and introduced a colony of penguins in a climate-controlled habitat.
In 2012, current owners - Merlin Entertainments - announced a $5.5 million upgrade introducing new exhibits, a new layout, and a more interactive experience.
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