Dunedin Brothers Dominate 2025 Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Competition
Seventeen-year-old Sam McGee has been named Overall Winner for his striking image Water Wings, which captures a white-faced heron in mid-motion with remarkable timing and atmospheric tones. The same image also earned him Wildlife Youth category winner. Sam's photo Lone Lion was named Runner-Up in the Wildlife Youth category, cementing his dominance across the youth section of the competition.
'This stunning image of the heron in its breeding plumage impressed us with its excellent composition and moody, almost monochromatic tones,' the judging panel said of Sam's winning Water Wings. 'The patience in waiting for the heron to dip its beak into the water really paid off, the droplets add dynamic movement to the photo.'
Fifteen-year-old Monty McGee was awarded Runner-Up in Wildlife Youth for his image Pūteketeke Yoga, a beautifully composed portrait of the native crested grebe. This photo also earned Monty Youth Photographer of the year, with judges praising the detail and technical skill in his debut submission.
Exhibition Manager and competition judge Shanaya Cunningham said, 'Even with an anonymous judging process, the McGees' images stood out. Finding out it was Monty's first time entering took us all by surprise due to the detail and expertise in his image.'
As Sam now moves from the youth category into the adult division, there's excitement across the photographic community about what this talented brother duo will create next. Their achievements are a proud moment for Dunedin and a strong example of youth photography excellence in Aotearoa.
The annual competition drew over 4,450 entries with images captured from across the globe and saw a major increase in submissions from Queenstown, Wānaka, and Oamaru, highlighting the growing strength of nature photography in the Southern Lakes and North Otago regions.
Marketing Manager Charlie Buchan said, 'This competition is growing year on year. It's becoming increasingly popular, not only as a competition but as an exhibition. We're seeing tens of thousands through the doors, and this year looks to be our biggest yet. It's a brilliant showcase of photographic talent and a celebration of nature from New Zealand's wildlife capital.'
The 2025 exhibition, Otago's Lens on the Wild World, opens on Thursday 26 June and runs until Sunday 12 October at Tūhura Otago Museum. Entry is free. The exhibition will showcase the
best from the competition across four key categories: Wildlife, Landscape, Botanical, and Natural Abstract. Visitors can explore all finalist entries on an interactive digital display, vote for their favourite in the People's Choice Award, and enjoy wildlife-themed crafts and up-close encounters with native species.
Otago's Lens on the Wild World is developed by Tūhura Otago Museum with support from The OPERA – Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance, and in partnership with Wild Dunedin, Jonathan's Photo Warehouse, and Canon New Zealand.
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