Aotearoa Landscapes
Featured: Aotearoa: “land of the long white cloud.” Marlborough Region from Cook Strait: photo by Krzysztof Golik, Wiki CC.
- Landscape (noun), definition: visible features of an area of land, often considered in terms of aesthetic appeal.
- Māori: “mano whenua“, heartland or interior of the country
- Chinese: 景色
- German: die Landschaft
- Spanish: el paisaje
As part of my year-long around-the-world journey in 2012, I spent most of July in New Zealand (Aotearoa). The following 12 landscape images provide another perspective about how I feel about non-urban settings. I’ve had some say about urban cityscapes, but I’ll be the person to stop every few kilometres for every possible vista. The following images from the North Island (Te Ika a Māui) and South Island (Te Waipounamu) are reminders of my desire to return to Aotearoa.
New Zealand’s national day, Waitangi Day, is observed annually on 6 February.
Mostly South Island
- Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington Harbour)
- Te Moana Raukawa (Cook Strait)
- Hapuku (near Kaikōura)
- Akaroa Harbour
- Arthur’s Pass Township
- Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef Glacier)
- Te Moeka o Tuawe (Fox Glacier)
- Te Ara Kairaumati (Lake Matheson)
- Kā Tiritiri o te Moana (Southern Alps)
- Aoraki, Horokoau (Mount Cook, Mount Tasman)
- Tāhuna (Queenstown)
- Piopiotahi (Milford Sound)
Te Whanganui a Tara
Wellington Harbour
From Mount Victoria at sunrise, Bluebridge ferry leaving Wellington to Picton; see more here.
Te Moana Raukawa
Cook Strait
From the Interislander Ferry at East Head, entering Tory Channel and the waters of the South Island; see more here.
Hapuku
South Island’s east coast
Near Hapuku, just north of Kaikōura, facing the Seaward Kaikōura mountains with snow-capped Uwerau (2213 m/7260 ft) at upper-left; see more here.
Akaroa Harbour
Entrance from the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean entrance, facing west to Timutimu Head at foreground-right; see more here.
Arthur’s Pass Township
adjacent to Canterbury region 7875
Next to the Waimakariri River between Douglas Stream and Waimakariri River Railway Bridge (#42), facing southwest; see more here. The two mountains at right, respectively, are Mount Bruce (elevation 1630 metres / 5348 feet) and Mid Hill (1831 m / 6007 ft).
Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere
Franz Josef Glacier
I am standing where many metres of ice once sat high on the valley floor. With the glacier’s retreat, the valley floor is now littered with glacial debris; see more here.
Te Moeka o Tuawe
Fox Glacier
Despite midday in July, the winter sun casts long shadows at the foot of the glacier; see more here.
Te Ara Kairaumati
Lake Matheson
The view 40 minutes before winter sunset in July with sacred peaks Horokoau and Aoraki at right; see more here.
Kā Tiritiri o Te Moana
Southern Alps
On high over Tasman Glacier and Lake Pukaki; see more here.
Aoraki, Horokoau
Mount Cook, Mount Tasman
In the air facing south to Aoraki and Horokoau, 1st and 2nd highest mountains in the country, respectively; see more here.
Tāhuna
Queenstown
The Remarkables mountain range over Lake Wakatipu.
Piopiotahi
Milford Sound
Facing west from Harrison Cove to Mitre Peak at upper right; see more here.
Except for the top/featured photo from Wikipedia (CC4), I made all remaining pictures above in July 2012 with a Canon EOS 450D (Rebel XSi) camera. This post appears on Fotoeins Fotografie at fotoeins DOT com as https://wp.me/p1BIdT-dcf.
21 Responses to “Aotearoa Landscapes”
Beautiful gallery of images. We haven’t been to NZ yet. So many places to go! I think my favorite image is Lake Matheson. The light is gorgeous.
Thanks, Patti! I’ve spent more time on the South Island, and I think the entire place essentially sparkles in any decent light. I’d like to spend more time on the North Island, as well as more time “across the ditch” in Australia.
Love it. “Across the ditch.” Some Australian/Kiwi expressions are priceless.
I agree, Patti: that particular expression about the Tasman Sea has stayed with me for a long time. I don’t remember exactly where I heard it the first time, though my best guess is Sydney for the amount of time I’d spent there. Do you have a(nother) favourite expression?
Incredibly beautiful! Thank you for the virtual tour!
Thank you, Amy!
We just got back from 2 weeks in the North Island Henry. Such a great place to visit. The South is now on my bucket list. 🙂
I’m glad you spent that time on the North Island. “Unfortunately,” my time on the North Island has only been Auckland and Wellington; I know there’s much more to see on the North Island. I’m also not surprised the South Island will be (high) on your list. Thanks for your comment, Lorelle!
Oh yes Henry. So much more to see other than the 2 main cities. I have lots to write about! 😊
I look forward to reading about what you all saw on the North Island!
Thanks Henry. 😊
Oh, my favorite scenery in the world! Such an amazing place—thanks for the memory. Beautiful images
Hi and thanks, Tina. New Zealand’s South Island was entirely like a beautiful dream. As a visitor, I don’t think there’s ever enough time to fully absorb every minute detail (because I want to) of the landscape and of her people.
Gorgeous shots. Makes me want to visit.
Thanks, Marie. New Zealand is a beautiful country.
This is certainly a treat for my sore eyes. Thank you so much for capturing these 🙂
Thanks for your comment and for stopping by!
Wow, your photos are amazing, would love to visit one day 😀
Thank you for your very kind comment. I hope you visit New Zealand soon!
Gorgeous images!
Thanks, Brett!