Welcome to BB Maps NZ
BB Map of Aotea, the greatest barrier island, Great Barrier Island Framed Print
When hanging on your wall, you’ll be reminded of…
The abundant native bush, the winding road, the scenic viewpoint seats, the morning Kākā calls, the manuka, the can-do / make-do attitude, the smell of the bush, the islands, the beaches, the bird life, the solar panels, the quietness, the LPG bottles, the colour of the water, the wharfs, the banter, the nikau, the waves, the night sky, the local folk and lack of other folk, the lack of power, the Claris Club, the boats, the Pt. FitzRoy Wharf beer as the sun’s going down on a late summers evening with the reggae vibrating out of local car speakers. Aotea FM.
Cartographers Notes:
The beauty about island maps is the visual completeness of them, the boundaries are very obvious (water). I have great memories of Aotea, I love this place - there is so much spirit and character in the people you meet, all shaped by this unique environment. This map captures some of what makes this place so unique; the environment, the history, the ruggedness, the can-do attitude. If New Zealand was the world, then to me, Aotea would be the New Zealand of that world - does that make sense? It does to me.
Overseas customers:
Only unframed prints can be shipped overseas.
Quality Frame:
Ready to hang, made of solid wood, glass and all fittings, just choose you colour, black, white or natural wood.
Map Print Details:
BB Home Sweet Home Series
Map drawn in Parua Bay
Printed, framed and shipped Ponsonby, Auckland
100% hand-crafted, original and authentic
A2 Dimensions 420mm x 594mm
Typeset in BB Waitangi my bespoke hand-crafted typeface
Available framed or unframed
Premium art print - Giclee Printed to order on 210GSM matt art stock
Special order prints, map customisations and framing options available
Framed prints can only be shipped to addresses within New Zealand
Choose unframed option to ship overseas
Special thanks to Az, the good ship Te Awatea, Nell and Lucy for your support and help in enabling this map to be.
BB Map of Parua Bay and Whangārei Heads Including Pataua and Taiharuru Unframed Print
When hanging on your wall, you’ll be reminded of…
The majesty of Manaia and its surrounds: the Whangarei Heads peninsula, the Whangarei Harbour, the winding creeks, streams, and estuaries. Admiring the view as you drive along beside the harbour, being stuck behind someone else driving slowly and admiring the view along the harbour. When we used to get scallops, going to Parua Bay and Whangarei Heads school, going into town on the school bus… The pohutukawas flowering at Christmas time, the halls, the beachy settlements, the waves at the ocean, the view from Kauri Mountain, Smugglers Loop swims. The totara in the grassy paddocks, the herons stalking the water's edge, people dropping bombs and doing manu’s off the Pataua footbridge, the beaches, dramatic volcanic outline shapes. Boats launching, the fish jumping, the kiwi calling, the kākā screeching, the snapper you lost last time you were fishing. The peacefulness, the volcanic landscape, the rural character, and the beauty of the Heads.
Cartographer’s Notes
It is my map-based love letter to Manaia and surrounding areas. It is a sense-of-place map that seeks to show what this place feels like. To inspire deeper understanding and sense of belonging.
I grew up here in Parua Bay and am bringing my kids up here now. I have memories in every nook and cranny and want to share this with you.
During the first Covid lockdown I started on this map, fascinated by the fact that the rain that often falls on the roof of my house in Parua Bay Village flows out through the Pataua estuary, not the much closer Whangarei Harbour, we are connected. A lot of water has flowed under the Pataua footbridge since then.
Not all of my maps i can say this, but I actually live in this map“ - API
Please note: NZ Shipping only
Contact hello@brokerbrothers.co.nz for Australia and rest of the world shipping of unframed prints via special order : ).
Map Print Details:
BB Home Sweet Home Series
Map drawn in Parua Bay
Printed, framed and shipped Ponsonby, Auckland
100% hand-crafted, original and authentic
A2 Dimensions 420mm x 594mm
Typeset in BB Waitangi my bespoke hand-crafted typeface
Available framed or unframed
Premium art print - Giclee Printed to order on 210GSM matt art stock
Special order prints, map customisations and framing options available
Popular
prints
BB Map of the CORO - Coromandel 'the golden’ Peninsula Unframed Print
When hanging on your wall, you'll be reminded of…
This golden peninsula in all its glory, the dual coasts and mountainous interior, Uncle Merv smoking kahawai at the bach, surfing Whangamata bar, the winding roads, the native bush, cicadas chirping, bittern signs and the seemingly invisible bitterns themselves, gold mines hidden in the bush, cool fresh rivers running over quartz rich rocks, swimming pools and waterfalls cascading through lush native bush filled with birdsong, ancient kauri, logging and mining relics, summer holidays both old and new, digging for hot water, looking for sunscreen, the mussel farms, the shorebirds, the hunt for gemstones, the pohutukawa flowering, providing shade, lining roadsides and beaches… golden times indeed.
Cartographer's Notes
My grandparents owned a bach in Whitianga back in the day. I grew up hearing endless stories of what it used to be like: the summer holidays, the 70s, the hippies and old fishermen, the good ol' days…
I've reconnected with the Coromandel over the last few years and love the place so much. There's incredible diversity and natural beauty packed into such a small space. The native bush hills call to me with their rivers, gemstones, and swimming holes. It's something I've never found anywhere else. It reminds me of my Northland home and the Barrier, but connected to the mainland. It has an island feel. The more I discover, the more I'm in love with the Coro.
The thing is with the ‘mandel is…. it’s not if… it’s when.
This is the perfect map for you holiday home to remind you of where you are and whats around you.. and your home to remind you of what to do on your next holiday. The perfect gift.
-API
Please note: NZ Shipping only
Contact hello@brokerbrothers.co.nz for Australia and rest of the world shipping of unframed prints via special order : ).
Map Print Details:
BB Home Sweet Home Series
Map drawn in Parua Bay
Printed, framed and shipped Ponsonby, Auckland
100% hand-crafted, original and authentic
A2 Dimensions 420mm x 594mm
Typeset in BB Waitangi and BB Mangamuka my bespoke hand-crafted typefaces
Available framed or unframed
Premium art print - Giclee Printed to order on 210GSM matt art stock
Special order prints, map customisations and framing options available
CORO Calling
Creating the BB Map of the CORO - Coromandel ‘the golden’ Peninsula
Behind the scenes with API
THE ‘HEADS
Mapping home - Parua Bay and Whangarei Heads
Keeping the magic of map-making alive in NZ
I’m a full blown map and geography nerd, but I don’t want science to get in the way of mapping the way places feel. That’s the job of art. This science - art balance is what makes BB Maps so magical. - API
BB Maps cartographer API speaks about the art of map-making 🍿 :
Learn more about my creative processes
BB perfectly imperfect
(yes i cut my finger carving this - lol!)
the feelings of places
Cartography (from Latin, carta/carte = map, Greek, graphien = to draw)
cartography literally means the writing or drawing of maps
BB Maps Cartographer Series - classic customisable A1 wall maps that celebrate your favourite places across Aotearoa New Zealand. Customise your map by getting your favourite places highlighted and special meaningful graphics created to celebrate and showcase your special connections to these locations.
Featuring customisable hand-crafted map and hand-crafted wall hanger frame.
1of 1, made for you, like how things used to be. Available by special order.
hello@brokerbrothers.co.nz
SORRY
SOLD OUT!
BB Maps Reorientation Series flips the script on traditional magnetically obsessed cartography and celebrates all the points of the compass! Some of the most fun and unique BB Maps. It’s amazing to look at familiar places in a new light from a different angle. It’s time to join the cartographic revolution. South is the new North.
Coming soon!
A2 Map prints available from the online store soon register your interest here
the feelings of places
Topophilia (from Greek topos = place , philia = love) is the deep emotional connection and love of place that individuals develop with specific geographic locations.