An environmental, social and cultural history of our association with the Hauraki Gulf tells the story of the gulf through three layers: the underlying narrative that is largely based on published sources; people's reminiscences, based on their memories of the gulf over their lifetimes. For these, the author interviewed over 60 people whose lives have intersected with the Hauraki Gulf in various ways; over 400 images, both numerous historical photographs and drawings as well as contemporary photographs and specially commissioned maps.