Every year, thousands of people travel to New Zealand to view our beautiful scenery and document it through photography. Whether you’re a novice photographer, Instagrammer, or looking to launch a business selling your photography, New Zealand’s majestic landscapes, iconic and often adorable wildlife, and moody seasons make it a great place to visit.
Here’s what you need to know about capturing New Zealand by lens.
New Zealand is a small country. At only 268,021 square kilometres, we are slightly larger in land mass than the United Kingdom. However, it’s our unique terrain that makes Aotearoa such a special place to live.
Here you’ll find misty mountainscapes, lush rainforests, deserted golden sand beaches, volcanic landscapes, lush rolling hills and wide open plains just hours from one another. From fjords in the south to lush subtropical beaches of the far north, there’s no shortage of things to experience and enjoy.
With our ever-changing weather, no day is ever quite the same. One of the best way to see the landscape is on a Great Walk. Check out our guide to find a walk that suits your photography style!
New Zealand’s flora and fauna are part of what makes it so special. From the smallest native birds to playful marine life, you’ll find a wide array of unique animals and plants to photograph on your travels. Take a look at our guide on where to find New Zealand's most precious taonga.
New Zealand is the unofficial adventure capital of the world. From bungee jumping (a Kiwi invention) to jet boat riding, kayaking, backcountry skiing, mountain biking, snowboarding, abseiling, caving, and white water rafting, there’s plenty of opportunity to capture adrenaline-pumping activities while you’re here.
Some people may argue that these spots are over-touristed, but sometimes things are popular for a reason. Although well-documented, we’d still recommend visiting these spots so that you don’t feel like you missed out.
Lake Tekapo and the Tekapo area are not to be missed. Regardless of whether you’re a night sky photographer, this UNESCO site is a Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect place for stargazing. You can observe the glittery sky from anywhere in the area or visit the top of Mount John and the Observatory for an in-depth experience. Another way to enjoy the stars is from the comfort of the local hot pools as a local guide talks you through the experience.
While you’re there, you can also enjoy cycling across expansive barren farmland, walking around the Mackenzie Basin, and visiting the famed Church of the Good Shepherd for a sunrise photo opportunity.
The fiords of New Zealand are spectacular and unlike anything else you may experience. Dramatic in the sunshine and even more majestic when it's raining, the long drive to Milford from Queenstown or Invercargill is totally worth it.
A boat cruise or kayak experience will take you close to thundering waterfalls and otherworldly views. You can also hike the Milford Track for an experience that will bring you closer to nature.
The Wanaka tree may be one of the most photographed landscapes in New Zealand and for good reason. While it may look like an ordinary tree, Wanaka and its beautiful lake experience four very distinct seasons making each photograph a unique portrait of the lake’s beauty. From snow-capped mountains during winter, to the deep reds and golds of autumn to the bright blue skies of summer, Lake Wānaka shines brightly all year around.
While you’re there you can also enjoy boating on the lake and the many outdoor activities that Wānaka is known for like hiking, mountain biking, and winter sports.
If you’re a fan of Milford Sound its well worth popping over to another one of New Zealand’s fiords - Doubtful Sound. Less touristed than its larger, more well-known fiord. Doubtful Sound has a calmer feel to it than Milford Sound and is a great place for photographers that are interested in wildlife photography. It’s common to see dolphins, fur seals and penguins in the area.
The easiest way to get to Doubtful Sound is to take a tour from Manapouri.
This small town on the east coast of the South Island is often overlooked by tourists. But, for wildlife photographers, you’ll want to put it on your list. Close to the city of Dunedin is the Royal Albatross Centre, where these awe-inspiring birds nest and raise their chicks. At nearby Pilots Beach nature reserve, Little Blue Penguins are often spotted returning from a day at sea as the sun goes down.
An hour south of Dunedin provides even more opportunities for wildlife spotting and swimming. The Catlins is an area of the coastline that stretches between Dunedin and Invercargill and is rich with marine life. Sea lions rest on craggy coastlines, and breeding populations of yellow-eyed and little blue penguins live amongst the rocks.
New Zealand’s smallest dolphin, the Hectors dolphin, can also be found here. It is identifiable by its round fin and light grey colour with black and white markings. You may also spot the world’s rarest sealion in their local breeding ground. New Zealand sea lions (once called Hooker’s sea lions) live at Waipapa Point, Surat Bay and Cannibal Bay.
While you should never approach wildlife, it’s common for dolphins and porpoises to join people swimming in the bays around the coastline, particularly at Porpoise Bay, the southernmost part of the Catlins.
Rotorua’s unique combination of cultural activities and geothermal wonders make it the ideal place for budding photographers to experience enjoy. From turquoise coloured pools to the steaming jets and bubbling mud pools, you’ll find other-worldly terrain in the Rotorua region.
The area is also known for cultural and adventure activities. While you’re there, enjoy learning about Maori culture, walking in the redwood forests, and experiencing canopy ziplining or white water rafting.
Every photographer will differ in what they want to capture (and how) but these tips are a good starting point for capturing nature photography in all sorts of conditions.
Digital camera. You’ll want to consider weight as part of the equation when picking a digital camera to bring to New Zealand. Many of the best photos are captured on the trail or require a bit of hiking to get there. Bring a camera that’s light enough to carry long-ish distances while still delivering a quality shot.
Wide angle lens. You’ll need a wide-angle lens for capturing the breathtaking quality our landscapes. Whether you’re on Roy’s Peak or Frans Josef Glacier, a wide-angle lens is your best friend.
Telephoto lens. If you’re here for the bird life or whale watching make sure you pack a telephoto lens to help you capture those elusive moments.
Lightweight tripod. A lightweight tripod can help you get the most out of long-exposure shots. If you’re visiting the night sky reserve or want to take shots as sunrise and sunset a tripod is a must. Plus, if its lightweight you may be able to take it with you on short walks.
Lens hood and polarising filter. Protect your lens from sun glare and harsh reflections when outside with a hood lens. They’re affordable but worth bringing with you. A polarising filter is also handy for landscape shots as it reduces reflection while bringing out the colour in your shots.
Dry bag. Handy for adventures when you want to take your camera gear out in kayak or on the sea. There’s plenty of opportunities to get close (but not too close) to marine life while you’re in New Zealand. Don’t ruin the moment by forgetting to protect your gear!
Batteries and a charger. You can never have too many extra batteries. If you’re hiking in cold temperatures make sure you throw a few extra batteries in your bag as their capacity drains faster in the cold than when its warm.
Drones. A drone can help you capture landscapes in ways that even the best cameras can’t. From our beautiful braided rivers to the alpine backcountry, a drone can be the cherry ontop of your photography.
Before using a drone in New Zealand there are a few things you need to know:
Drone flying rules are set by the CAA to protect both wildlife and people’s privacy. In New Zealand drones are considered aircraft and can be a hazard when used incorrectly.
Fly no higher than 400ft / 120m above the ground.
Don’t fly directly over people and stay a safe distance from buildings.
Do not fly your drone directly over whales or marine life.
Keep your drone in direct sight at all times. Fly only in daylight and stay clear of fog or cloud.
Stay 4km away from where aircraft are landing or taking off.
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