A person in a red jacket inside a blue ice cave with light coming through the ceiling

New Zealand through a photographer's eyes

· Travel · 3 min read

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A year and a quarter in New Zealand, tens of thousands of photos, and I still feel I haven't photographed the main thing. For a photographer New Zealand is endless. In one day you can shoot a glacier, rainforest, a beach and a volcano. In this article I look at New Zealand through a photographer's eyes: the best places, the light and tips from experience.

123456Mount TaranakiWharariki BeachHokitika GorgeAoraki / Mount CookLake TekapoMilford SoundMy top places to photograph41°58′ j. š.S200 km
Mapa: My top places to photograph
  1. Mount Taranaki – a reflection in a tarn 39.297° S, 174.063° E
  2. Wharariki Beach – rock islands 40.500° S, 172.683° E
  3. Hokitika Gorge – a turquoise river 42.955° S, 171.000° E
  4. Aoraki / Mount Cook – the highest mountain 43.595° S, 170.142° E
  5. Lake Tekapo – lupins and stars 44.005° S, 170.478° E
  6. Milford Sound – the fjord and Mitre Peak 44.641° S, 167.897° E

Milford Sound and Fiordland

Mitre Peak above the fjord is an icon of New Zealand. It's most beautiful in morning mist or after rain, when hundreds of waterfalls pour off every wall. Yes, it rains in Milford nearly all the time, and that's a good thing.

Mitre Peak and mountains reflected in still water, with logs on the shore
Milford Sound on a calm morning

Aoraki / Mount Cook

New Zealand's highest mountain (3,724 m). The Hooker Valley Track leads to a lake with floating ice below the mountain. At dawn the summit turns pink. If you have more energy, climb to Mueller Hut above the glaciers.

A snow-covered mountain above a lake with stones in the foreground in the blue hour

An ice cave

One of my strongest experiences. Blue light shining through the ice, drops of water and silence. The ice caves change every year and you can only visit them with a guide, much like in Iceland's Vatnajökull. The article's cover photo is from there.

The lupins at Lake Tekapo

In November and December, purple, pink and white lupins flower around Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. With the turquoise lake and the mountains behind, they make one of the most colourful scenes anywhere. Lupins are invasive in New Zealand, but photographers love them.

Wharariki Beach

At the very top of the South Island is a beach with the rock islands of the Archway Islands. At low tide they reflect in the wet sand, and at sunset it's one of the most beautiful places in the country. On top of that, fur seals rest on the rocks.

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Tips for photographers in New Zealand

  • The weather is your friend. Mist, rain and clouds give photos atmosphere. Don't wait only for blue sky.
  • Drones: the rules are strict. In national parks (DOC land) you need a permit, which is rarely given. Check the maps in the AirShare app.
  • Filters: a polariser for water and rainforest, ND for waterfalls and the sea. More in the article on photography filters.
  • A person in the frame: a red or yellow jacket in a green and blue landscape gives the photo scale and a story.
  • Stars: New Zealand has some of the darkest areas in the world. More in New Zealand's night sky.
  • Kea: the mountain parrots are curious and steal everything. Don't leave anything unattended.

My top 10 places

  1. Milford Sound
  2. Aoraki / Mount Cook and the Hooker Valley
  3. The Pouakai Tarns and Mount Taranaki
  4. The lupins at Tekapo
  5. Wharariki Beach
  6. Roys Peak near Wanaka
  7. Hokitika Gorge
  8. Tongariro and the Emerald Lakes
  9. Wai-O-Tapu in Rotorua
  10. Cape Reinga

All my photos from New Zealand are in my New Zealand portfolio.

Faq

When is the best time to photograph New Zealand?

Autumn (March–May) for colour and settled weather, spring (November) for the lupins, winter for snowy mountains and the longest nights for astrophotography.

Can I fly a drone in New Zealand?

Yes, but not in national parks without a permit, not near airports and not over people. Check the zones in the AirShare app.

Which lens should I take to New Zealand?

A general-purpose 24–105 mm zoom, a wide-angle for stars and interiors, and a telephoto for mountains and wildlife.

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