In the second part of a two-part interview, New Zealand documentary filmmakers Winston Cowie and David Sims recount a visit to the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia to see an ancient pohutukawa tree, thought to be between 200 and 400 years old. This type of evergreen is endemic to New Zealand, and the tree could therefore serve as an important clue as to when Iberian explorers arrived Down Under. The ancient pohutukawa they visited in Galicia now wears a greenstone pendant they brought as a gift that was crafted by New Zealand artist and carver Kerry Strongman ( www.strongmanishere.com ). The history books say the Dutch discovered Australia and New Zealand, but Cowie and Sims think there is some indication--and they think there is possibly also strong evidence hidden beneath the ocean waves--that the discovery was made much earlier than previously thought, and by an Iberian explorer. Winston Cowie reviews the "Iberian angle" theories. He and David Sims are hoping to be able to make a conclusive follow-up documentary to their first on the matter, "Mystery at Midge Bay." For more information, visit Winston's website, at www.winstoncowie.com .
