Along my drive from Hokianga / Opononi down to Piha, I stopped at the Muriwai Gannet Colony. I was expecting a loud bunch of smelly birds -- they were that but so much more!!!
About 200 miles/6hrs between the two, with a diversion to Murawai as I approached Piha.
Nesting Gannet Pairs
Gannets pair up for life and each takes a 48 hr shift tending to the single egg.
There seems to be a constant flurry in the air of gannets taking off/landing at the nest. They do not land gracefully ... more of a slow stall created by max down tail (elevator?) and then a bit of a controlled fall ...