Fabulous New Zealand – a collation of images from our two visits. We saw every kind of weather including just about getting blown off the highway at one point. Food as amazing as you will find anywhere. Friendly people, nothing was ever too much trouble.
Equipment used on the North Island, 2 A700 bodies, Sigma 8-16, Sony 16-50/2.8 and Minolta 80-200/2.8 G. Weird setup, mostly to deal with low light and it worked. On the South Island, Sigma 8-16, Sony 16-105, Sony 100-300 G the classic lineup – and Sony RX100M2. Minolta travel tripod in both cases.
Sadly the 16-105 stripped a gear when leaving the Omaka Aviation Centre which left a hole in the lineup. That lens had been a proper workhorse since 2008 when it was purchased new in Banff and had taken countless photos since then. Luckily the RX100 stepped in and covered the gap admirably. The 16-105 was sent back to New Zealand for repair after we returned home and in the fullness of time was returned good as new again, possibly better actually. On the A700, its just delivers.
On the North Island I spent the day by myself on the viewing carriage between Christchurch and Hamilton with the 80-200. Light was muted, the lens delivered some amazing shots as the train rolled on all the same. Great scenery everywhere you look.
This is the old Auckland railway station now budget accommodation and mainly inhabited by students. Its quirky and some of the best accommodation we have had anywhere. The area behind the glass is a giant communal kitchen and dining area. Its not a hostel and it has tons of character.
Detail of tiles on the wall. Station was built in 1930, a time when it seems no expense was spared on the stations. Now of course they have been retired across New Zealand relegated to other purposes. I resisted a massive urge to clean those tiles. They deserve to be pristine.
Detail of the station lobby. Huge terrazzo floor and incredible detail and workmanship everywhere.
A view from out the front. Garden is suffering in the heat.
Downtown Auckland somewhere. Using A700 and 16-50 /2.8 hand held.
Downtown Auckland.
Downtown Auckland.
Burger joint downtown Auckland.
Burger joint downtown Auckland.
Waipu view.
The Waipu vet where old trees have been carved into statues. Plus the museum. you wouldn't want to miss that. Waipu has a fascinating living history that shapes the town’s character. Here, the people are part of the story, with many locals descended from the original 940 or more early settlers. The phone book is full of names that begin with Mc and street names reflect distant places in the highland homelands. After travelling on an extended journey from Scotland, Nova Scotia, Australia and then New Zealand, the Gaelic speaking ‘Normanites’ from the Scottish Highlands found Waipu. In all, the settlers represented 19 Scottish clans, and their descendants have many stories to share. Check out the migration map and story of these brave pioneers to understand the magnitude of the journey.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
Ohaeawai on the road to kerikeri
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
At our Ohaeawai accomodation.
Bay of Islands, Waitangi.
Waitangi Treaty House, a place of great historic significance. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_House.
Waitangi Treaty House.
Waitangi Treaty House.
Waitangi Treaty House.
Waitangi Treaty House.
Waitangi Treaty House.
Waitangi Treaty House.
Waitangi Treaty House.
Waitangi Treaty House.
Garage at Ohaeawai near Kerikeri.
Kerikeri down by the stone store. Kerikeri Mission Station, established in 1819, at Kororipo, is one of the first places in New Zealand where Māori invited Pakeha to live among them. Built under the protection of local Māori chiefs who were keen to harness the trade and technology of Europe, Kerikeri Mission Station grew amidst a backdrop of tribal warfare and ever-increasing visits from foreign ships.
Kerikeri down by the stone store.
Waiekakoura River near the Stone Store.
Haruru Falls near Waitangi. There are waterfalls all along the river there.
New Zealand public toilets have character. There is even a bus tour. These are the Paihia Wee Toilets, true story.
The Bay of Islands
Our accommodation at Ohaeawai outside Keri Keri.
Wilderness somewhere.
On the road to Dargaville we encountered the sensitive sustainable logging that occurs about the place.
Dargaville famous to us at least for the sweet potato and mussel chowder. Superb.
Dargaville. Outstanding example of a small country town.
Somewhere between Dargaville and Waipoua. Stunning views along the coast in these parts.
Omapere weather was wild when we were there.
Tane Mahatu possibly one of the oldest living things on the planet. Waipoua forest.
Tane Mahatu possibly one of the oldest living things on the planet. Waipoua forest.
Omapere the most northern point on the west coast for us. Weather was wild when we were there.
The roads were wonderful and the scenery endless.
Hows the serenity?
Waipoua River.
More excellent roads.
Waipoua River near the Waipoua campground turnoff.
The Waipoua campground turnoff.
Bridge across the Waipoua River.
Kaiaua, Waikato.
Kaiaua, Waikato.
Almost certainly Manaia Road Saddle and Lookout, maybe. Plenty of views like this up there.
Manaia Road Saddle and Lookout.
I wish I could remember where exactly this was. Near Pūkorokoro / Miranda, Waikato.
More firth of Thames, Pūkorokoro / Miranda, Waikato.
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
Cathedral Cove.
Cathedral Cove. This was a bit of a mission walking in with a significant amount of camera equipment. Took a while, got it done. Light was terrible.
Cathedral Cove.
Cathedral Cove.
Cathedral Cove.
Cathedral Cove.
Cathedral Cove.
Cathedral Cove.
Cathedral Cove.
Cathedral Cove, To Hoho rock.
Cathedral Cove.
Cathedral Cove.
Cathedral Cove.
Hobbiton, Hinuera, Matamata. THe film set that spawned a tourist attraction. Destroyed after the first LOTR movies and then rebuilt with a longer term plan. Its a must see.
Hobbiton, Matamata.
Hobbiton, Matamata.
Hobbiton, Matamata.
Hobbiton, Matamata.
Hobbiton, Matamata.
Hobbiton, Matamata.
Hobbiton, Matamata.
Hobbiton, Matamata.
Rotorua, home of overt geothermal activity. Place stinks of sulphur but you stop noticing it after a few days. There's a lot to see here.
Rotorua, steam from the warm water of the lake on a cold day.
Mudpool, Rotorua.
Warning, danger! Hot mud is hot.Rotorua.
The gardens in Rotorua were spectacular.
The gardens in Rotorua were spectacular.
There was some trolling of the the selfie obsessions of certain tourists. They can get pretty intense about their snapshots.
The gardens in Rotorua were spectacular.
Gardens Rotorua.
Gardens Rotorua.
Hot springs Rotorua.
Trolling the selfie takers, Rotorua.
Trolling the selfie takers, Rotorua.
Trolling the selfie takers, Rotorua.
SONY DSC
Redwood forest, Rotorua.
Redwood forest, Rotorua.
Early stage coal. Redwood forest, Rotorua.
Lake Rotorua which is the caldera of a volcano.
View over where the eruption of Mt Tarawera occurred in 1886 near Rotorua.
Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway)
Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway)
Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway)
Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway)
Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway)
Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway)
Taupo
Taupo
Taupo
Huka Falls, Taupo
Huka Falls, Taupo
Huka Falls, Taupo
Napier is a cool and laid back place. In 1931 a massive earthquake rocked Hawke's Bay for more than three minutes, killing nearly 260 and destroying the commercial centre of Napier. Rebuilt in the style of the day it is an art deco time capsule by the sea.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier. The Kiwi man cave is a sad place.
Napier.
Not Noosa but Napier, New Zealand.
Napier.
Napier. Shed2, the place of at least one fine meal. The old wharf district is now lots of bars and restaurants done right.
Napier. Streetart, everywhere also done right.
Streetart, Napier.
Streetart, Napier.
The view down by the water. Napier.
The view down by the water on sunset. Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Napier.
Waipukarau. On the way now to Martinborough.
Waipukarau. On the way now to Martinborough.
Dannevirke. On the way a gale so violent we were just about blown off the road. We paused here in the Maccas car park until it was safe to proceed.
Paused to take a shot of the wind turbines. It was so windy it just about took the door off the car.
On the traino now from Wellington to Hamilton. I spent the day on the observation carriage by myself, shooting everything in sight. Light was poor but I had a blast. Did I mention it was cold?
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton. This, the earliest known signature train shot.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton. The Raurimu Spiral is a single-track railway spiral, starting with a horseshoe curve, overcoming a 139-metre (456 ft) height difference, in the central North Island of New Zealand, on the North Island Main Trunk railway (NIMT) between Wellington and Auckland.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.C
Northern Explorer Train Wellington to Hamilton.
Tawarau Forest tramping tracks, the fence of boots. https://www.natureandnosh.co.nz/blog/post/48652/The-boot-fence-story-World-famous-in-New-Zealand/
Tawarau Forest tramping tracks, the fence of boots.
Tawarau Forest.
Tawarau Forest.
Marokopa Falls, Tawarau Forest.
Marokopa Falls, Tawarau Forest.
Hamilton Gardens is a public garden park in the south of Hamilton owned and managed by Hamilton City Council in Hamilton gardens .The 54-hectare park is based on the banks of the Waikato River and includes enclosed gardens, open lawns, a lake, a nursery, a convention centre and the Hamilton East Cemetery. Strangely it has portraits off the International Rescue team on the cafeteria wall.
Hamilton Gardens.
Hamilton Gardens.
Hamilton Gardens.
Hamilton Gardens.
Hamilton Gardens.
Hamilton Gardens.
Hamilton Gardens.
Hamilton Gardens.