I AM New Zealand

With its I Am New Zealand campaign, Nikon is inviting everyday New Zealanders to share their little corner of the country through photography. These images may give us a window into the landscape and culture, and, at their best, evoke the photographer’s connection with the place and what it means to them.

9 August 2018

We sometimes think of New Zealand as a little place, but in reality most of us have only seen a fraction of it. With its I Am New Zealand campaign, Nikon is inviting everyday New Zealanders to share their little corner of the country through photography. These images may give us a window into the landscape and culture, and, at their best, evoke the photographer’s connection with the place and what it means to them.

Below we’ll continue to share some of Nikon’s top picks and a little about them. Nikon regularly shares its favourite images on iamnewzealand.co.nz — head there to submit your own image.


The gannet colony at Muriwai Beach on the west coast of Auckland is a favourite spot for local photographers and tourists alike.


Rainier Pascua, Muriwai, Auckland, Nikon D7200

Rainier Pascua, Muriwai, Auckland, Nikon D7200

 


Te Whare Whakamoemiti (The House of Praise) is a Rātana church on the outskirts of Raetihi. Built in 1920, it was the first replica of the temple at Rātana Pā.


Sharad Dohare, Raetihi, Manawatu–Whanganui, Nikon D600

Sharad Dohare, Raetihi, Manawatu–Whanganui, Nikon D600

 


A view of Skippers Canyon under a very bright moon; Gareth says that this is his preferred lighting for shooting star trails as it keeps the sky from being too busy.


Gareth Owen Davies, Skippers Canyon, Queenstown, Nikon D610

Gareth Owen Davies, Skippers Canyon, Queenstown, Nikon D610

 


The flippers and feet of these two hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins) have turned bright pink as part of the process of ridding themselves of the extra heat generated by swimming.


Jonathan Harrod, Catlins Coast, Nikon D300s

Jonathan Harrod, Catlins Coast, Nikon D300s

 

“I always enjoy the soothing sound of the waves crashing on the rocks from the cave of Bethells Beach.”


Manon Fleurentin, Te Henga, Nikon D5100 and AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II

Manon Fleurentin, Te Henga, Nikon D5100 and AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II

 

The Hooker Valley track with the Milky Way arching vertically; a single-exposure with no post blending or stacking. “A very complicated shot that I had a number of goes at before I was happy, but I got there in the end.” 


Samuel Bingham, Hooker Valley, Nikon D800

Samuel Bingham, Hooker Valley, Nikon D800

 

Spinning steel wool on a balmy summer’s night on Petone Beach.


David Jensen, Petone Beach, Nikon D7200

David Jensen, Petone Beach, Nikon D7200

 

Ian captured this moody shot of the Karangahake Gorge rail tunnel, which was once a busy thoroughfare, transporting gold and mining material in and out of Waihi.


Ian Rushton, Karangahake Gorge, Coromandel, Nikon D5100, 12mm, 15s, f/8, ISO 100

Ian Rushton, Karangahake Gorge, Coromandel, Nikon D5100, 12mm, 15s, f/8, ISO 100

 

Driving along Auckland’s waterfront on a winter’s afternoon, these beautiful yachts and the engaging light caught Murray’s eye.


Murray Job, Waitematā Harbour, Auckland, Nikon D90, 200mm, 1/1600s, f/10, ISO 500

Murray Job, Waitematā Harbour, Auckland, Nikon D90, 200mm, 1/1600s, f/10, ISO 500

 

With the only thing disturbing the otherwise perfectly still lake the birds having their early morning swims, Samuel captured this shot of his friend jumping along the jetty with his reflection below.


Samuel Bingham, Lake Hayes, Central Otago, Nikon D800, 200mm, 1/200s, f/4, ISO 200

Samuel Bingham, Lake Hayes, Central Otago, Nikon D800, 200mm, 1/200s, f/4, ISO 200