Kelly Tarlton is known as the New Zealand visionary behind Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World. But, what is less remembered is that Kelly, who died aged just 47, was also a successful treasure hunter of shipwrecks across the globe. 40 years after his death, a team made up of friends, family and marine enthusiasts document in a new podcast the adventure to complete one of his final expeditions to find the location of one of the oldest European artifacts in New Zealand – the third anchor of the St Jean Baptiste.

Kelly Tarlton’s Final Treasure Hunt is a new six-part series produced by Motuihe Group for RNZ. Hosted by award-winning podcast producer and broadcaster Hamish Williams, it takes you from the bottom of Doubtless Bay in Northland to the display walls of Te Papa Museum in Wellington. The podcast is hosted and distributed by independent podcasting company Acast.

Hamish Williams is a family friend of the Tarlton’s and said:

“Kelly’s daughter Fiona told me about her dad’s treasure hunting while we were sailing up the coast to the Bay of Islands and I immediately wanted to help the Tarlton family and their friends complete this quest and tell a new generation of New Zealanders about this great man and his life beyond his groundbreaking aquarium.”

RNZ’s Executive Editor, Audio Tim Watkin said:

“Most New Zealanders will know the name Kelly Tarlton, but as the years go by fewer and fewer know about the adventurer, the environmentalist and the brilliant thinker behind one of our best-known landmarks. This podcast reminds us why he should be remembered and is just a great, swashbuckling yarn with some real surprises you won’t see coming.”

Kelly Tarlton’s Final Treasure Hunt launched on Friday May 23 on rnz.co.nz/podcasts and podcast apps. Episodes will also be broadcast weekly on RNZ National every Sunday at 7am.