Judging Ngā Wairau - Through My Lens

I was honoured to be invited as a judge for the Ngā Wairau Through My Lens student photography competition, celebrating the waterways and communities of the Ngā Wairau catchment.
The standard of entries was exceptional. Students responded thoughtfully to the themes of wai, taiao, whenua, and tāngata, creating images that demonstrated creativity, technical skill, and a genuine connection to place. It was inspiring to see so many young people engaging with ideas of kaitiakitanga.

As an artist whose practice is grounded in the waterways and estuaries of Tāmaki Makaurau, it was a privilege to see the catchment interpreted through fresh eyes. 

My thanks to Auckland Council Healthy Waters, the Wairau Blue-Green Network and Making Space for Water programme, and to the Auckland Festival of Photography for their ongoing support of photography as a powerful way of seeing and engaging with the world around us. Congratulations to all of the students who participated.