Sea Change

A natural disaster has devastated a small community on the Kapiti Coast. Mandated retreat is announced. This government decision has been manipulated by Adrian Stokes, a wealthy and powerful businessman who has designs on the mandated settlement for his own development. A resourceful and colourful collection of villagers decide to defy the order to retreat. They think they can make a go of it and persuade elderly reclusive Lorna, blind Toddy and the young, traumatised Eru to stay along with them as their properties are key to Stokes’ plans. Relationships among the isolated remainers develop. Many difficult technical problems – fresh water, power. Internet access – are solved in surprising ways. Stokes uses many ploys to dislodge them but is always thwarted by their ingenuity. Finally, a summons to the Environment Court brings the issue to a head. Lorna presents a powerful case. Stokes, outfaced yet again, and troubled by personal problems, still believes his wealth and influence will prevail. We are not convinced. … Or are we?