hauraki gulf : orakei wharf okahu bay
These photographs were taken at Okahu Bay, Auckland. Each time I sail in and out of Auckland Harbour, I pass Orakei Wharf, and the breakwater of old wooden piles which stretch across the bay. The sandy beach of Okahu Bay is approximately 6km from Auckland CBD, – a great place to picnic, swim, hire a kayak [...]
lanterns fireworks and kids in balloons : auckland city
This post kicks off my new project ‘Auckland Central‘ and includes photographs taken a few days ago at the Chinese New Year Lantern Festival in central Auckland. The event has grown year by year to a point where not many more people could fit into the space of Albert Park and the adjoining food area [...]
coromandel peninsula : hauraki gulf new zealand
Still pulling out of holiday mode, and waiting for summer to arrive. These photographs were taken a couple of weeks ago during a trip across to Coromandel Peninsula. After a perfect sail to Motukahaua Island, part of the Happy Jacks, I spent the night in the idyllic Elephant Cove. The first photo above was taken [...]
rangitoto island : the heart of aucklands hauraki gulf
If a physical feature was to be omitted from Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, I think it may be Rangitoto Island that would be missed the most. This beautifully symmetrical landmark is visible from all directions, and along with the Sky Tower, I think Rangitoto is the most tangible symbol of arriving home. This must be the [...]
looking back : from motuihe to auckland
These Motuihe Island photographs were taken a week ago using a new 2x extender on a Canon 70 – 200 mk2 lens, during a short sail from Auckland. Motuihe is a beautiful three sided island with a choice of white sandy bays providing 360 degree protection in moderate winds. It is only 16 km from [...]
people in windows : RWC 2011 auckland new zealand
It all seems so long ago. Of course if we had lost, instead of scraping home, the post mortem and mourning would be continuing. Now we have that satisfied acceptance of, - job done – move on. Also, reality has rapidly re-imposed itself in the form of an election and the impending consequences that inevitably [...]
a very special place : for aucklanders and visitors
These photographs and the current slide show are all from my book IMAGES cornwall park one tree hill. If you would like to order the book, please click the Buy Now button on the right hand side of this page. Order 5 books and you will receive 6, ie one free book, and order 8 [...]
U2 : IMAGES cornwall park one tree hill
A few minutes down the road from my home, is one of the worlds best inner city parks, Cornwall Park and One Tree Hill. One year ago, shortly after New Zealands worst mining tragedy, U2 performed and dedicated their song,One Tree Hill to the 29 miners who died. The song itself having been written for another New [...]
boats : auckland waitemata harbour. hauraki gulf.
It surprises me how often I am on the only boat anchored overnight in a bay, particularly when Auckland is flooded with boats. Even when sailing between islands, there may be no other boat in sight. I didn’t set out to make boat photographs a significant part of my Hauraki Gulf collection, my focus was [...]
les bleus supporters : french colour french style
During the Rugby World Cup I had fun with street portraits – particularly of French supporters. They were easy going, good natured, and colourful. New Zealand’s ever present black clothing, of which I am as guilty as anyone, became dull and oppressive, – making the simple purity of French colour all the more refreshing. These [...]
auckland harbour bridge : with alien spacecraft
These Auckland Harbour Bridge photographs and the slide show images above have just been added to Hauraki Gulf Structures. While not the prettiest bridge in the world it is nevertheless an important Auckland icon, a symbol of home to Aucklander’s. What many Aucklander’s will not have seen is the beautiful and intriguing Bungy Pod structure, [...]
magic light and boating spots : close to auckland
The above three photographs have been drawn from my back catalogue, and added to Hauraki Gulf images. Together with the five slideshow photographs currently displaying, all were taken within close proximity of each other. These Motutapu and Waiheke Island destinations can be reached within 2 hours sailing from Auckland city, illustrating some of the special [...]
all black parade RWC : auckland street photography
I don’t think anyone anticipated a final score like 8 – 7. As feared, the French magically lifted their game, while Piri had an off day. Even so, now we have the cup, the hex is healed, – for a while. We must learn more about the French psychology of lifting your game when it [...]
les bleus : new zealand’s nightmare? RWC 2011
Fingers crossed, today is the day! I’m not as brazenly confident of winning as many others are. French flair on a good day and us on a bad day, anything could happen? We’ve experienced certainty, then failure against the French, too many times. I’m about to head downtown to photograph street scenes preceeding the 2011 [...]
new zealand pure : our pristine sea surface
At times the sea appears silky, and then a breeze will ruffle this glassy surface into exquisite patterns and reflections. Seeing the smooth blue ripples and wavelets is always a special time for me. Until this week, our unspoiled coastline seemed a world away from oil spillage, and as a country there is a universal [...]
chelsea sugar refinery : auckland upper harbour
This old orange landmark building sits quietly across the inner harbour from central Auckland. Built in 1883 on 450 acres of Birkenhead land, Chelsea Refinery continues to be New Zealand’s main source of sugar. Ships carrying bulk raw sugar from the Pacific and Australia, access the refinery by passing under Auckland Harbour Bridge. Most of [...]
maori waka and traditional dress : RWC 2011 auckland
Part of the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony involved a large flotilla of Maori waka (canoes), the most authentic display I have ever witnessed. Amongst the huge crowd, I found myself in an good position for photographing this procession, despite a woman continuously clapping in front of my lens. I didn’t have the heart to [...]
photographs of auckland : rugby world cup 2011
I headed into the city early afternoon for the Rugby World Cup 2011 opening celebrations. There were big crowds, happy people, and a great atmosphere. I wandered freely until dusk, when I found myself unable to move, crushed shoulder to shoulder, in front of one of the outdoor television screens. The three people shown here [...]
new zealand fine art landscape : chamberlains bay
This site is presently undergoing development, so you may notice some odd design elements occurring over the next week or two. Last Friday, here in Auckland, was the opening of the Rugby World Cup 2011. I will start my photographic coverage of this event with a number of slideshows and update these every two days. [...]
cloud formation : queens wharf RWC
Today ‘The Cloud’ was officially opened, a week ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2011. The images and slideshow above were photographed from my boat over the last five or so months. Photographing the Hauraki Gulf has largely been on hold due to my recently tearing a knee cartilage. Two days ago, this was operated [...]
auckland icons : photographed from a boat
Auckland’s prime icons are probably the Sky Tower, Auckland Harbour Bridge, Rangitoto Island, and One Tree Hill. The first three ‘icons’ feature within my current Hauraki Gulf project. The fourth, One Tree Hill, was part of my first project and book, IMAGES Cornwall Park One Tree Hill. This book can be purchased via the home [...]
auckland fine art photography : queens wharf RWC
In less than 4 weeks, the 2011 Rugby World Cup event commences here in Auckland, New Zealand. In the past, rugby attained an an almost religious status in this country, with New Zealand’s mental health too dependant on the success of the All Blacks. This brilliant Youtube item perfectly illustrates the psychological state of mainstream [...]
mullet bay mist : hauraki gulf
Photographing from one fixed position over a 12 hour period is an interesting exercise. These three photographs, the current slide show above, and my previous post, were all taken while at anchor, overnight, in Mullet Bay, Motutapu Island, Hauraki Gulf. At sea, it can be difficult to find subjects of photographic interest, a typical scene [...]
mullet bay sunshine : motutapu island
These photographs have recently been added to the Gallery, Hauraki Gulf Colour. They are part of a series taken at Mullet Bay, a small bay of Motutapu Island, which is close to Auckland city. Fortunately while anchored overnight in Mullet Bay I chanced a clear evening followed by a beautiful morning fog. Two of the [...]
