Origin story
"Blue Cradle" refers to the place of origin, the cradle of life on our planet is the ocean. It also refers to the verb 'to cradle', meaning to shelter, and to protect. It implies we come from, and must be stewards of the ocean.
Blue Cradle was founded in April 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown and formally incorporated as a charitable trust on 4 June 2020.
The name Blue Cradle was first imagined as a documentary series exploring the blue economy in the Coral Triangle—the “cradle” of marine biodiversity. Conceived by James Nikitine, the project took a transformative turn when, instead of returning to Europe to continue his filmmaking career, he made the pivotal decision to stay in Aotearoa New Zealand and establish a nonprofit organisation.
This step was shaped by James’s years of experience in the international nonprofit sector in Geneva, as well as a growing urgency to act—not just communicate—on ocean issues. His passion for marine conservation, combined with a conviction that the ocean is not only a victim of the climate and biodiversity crises, but also a powerful part of the solution, laid the foundation for Blue Cradle’s mission.
Launched at the beginning of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), Blue Cradle reflects a timely opportunity: to invest in ocean regeneration, promote ocean literacy, and help build a healthier, more resilient future for the generations to come
In the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunity.
Before the pandemic, I worked as a filmmaker, producing campaigns and documentaries for conservation NGOs around the world. When COVID-19 brought everything to a halt, I faced a turning point: continue down that path, or take the leap into something deeper. I chose to stay in Aotearoa and shift from telling stories about change to actively leading it—founding Blue Cradle and stepping into the role of managing a nonprofit dedicated to ocean regeneration and education.
– James Nikitine, Founder, Blue Cradle Foundation
