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Otago Daily Times
05-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Photographers make finals
Oamaru's photographic talent came into sharp focus at Otago's largest nature photography competition at the Tūhura Otago Museum in Dunedin last week. The exhibition of photographs, titled "Otago's Lens on the Wild World", opened last week and runs until October 12 in the museum's special exhibitions gallery. More than 4450 entries were submitted across Otago, and finalists included Oamaru photographers Tom Davies and Gary Speer. Mr Davies had four images chosen from the wildlife, botanical and natural abstract categories, while Mr Speer had two images selected as finalists in the exhibition, which celebrates the region's biodiversity and creativity. Mr Davies said it was an honour and a shock to be recognised by the museum. "It came as quite a surprise, especially knowing how rich and diverse the talent pool is in New Zealand. "Now that the shock has worn off, I feel deeply grateful that I get to live in a part of the world as beautiful as Otago and how lucky we are to have all this on our doorstep," he said. Tūhura Otago Museum marketing manager Charlie Buchan said it was a "huge achievement" for both photographers to be chosen as finalists. Their entries included stunning photographs of fungi, flowers and Oamaru's local wildlife, showcasing the breadth and creativity of nature photography coming out of the North Otago region, Mr Buchan said. Oamaru made a strong impression with a significant number of standout entries, he said. "It highlights the town's growing reputation as a hub for amateur photographers inspired by the wild beauty of their local environment. "The exhibition brings together the best of what our region sees every day, through the lenses of people who really care about the natural world around them," Mr Buchan said. The 2025 Tūhura Otago Museum Photographer of the Year was won by Sam McGee, 17, of Dunedin, for his entry, Water Wings. He also won the wildlife youth section.
Scoop
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Dunedin Brothers Dominate 2025 Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Competition
The results are in for Tūhura Otago Museum's 2025 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition and Dunedin brothers Sam and Monty McGee have swept the top awards. 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.
