Six artists were selected from submissions to have their work printed and are exhibited at QUEST APARTMENTS Havelock North.
Peter Goss, Andrew Whiteford, Dana Haimona, Jane Dunn, Jake Sandkuijl, Lynn Clayton
Aotearoa Takes Flight
One Collective Portrait of New Zealand Birdlife
Birds are woven into the identity of Aotearoa New Zealand.
They shape our forests, coastlines, wetlands and skies — and occupy a unique place in our cultural imagination, environmental consciousness, and everyday lives.
Aotearoa Takes Flight brings together a collective photographic portrait of New Zealand birdlife through the eyes of photographers from across the country. Featuring up to 100 individual images, the exhibition transforms a gallery wall into a living mosaic of feathers, colour, movement, habitat and story.
This exhibition invites professional photographers, emerging image-makers, students and passionate observers alike to contribute a single image capturing their personal encounter with birdlife in Aotearoa. Together, these works become more than a survey of species; they form a shared reflection on connection — between people, place and the natural world.
Some images will celebrate rare and iconic native species. Others observe the familiar birds that inhabit our urban environments, rural landscapes and coastlines. Collected side by side, these photographs reveal both the extraordinary diversity of New Zealand birdlife and the many ways photography can deepen attention, care and awareness.
At a time when conversations around conservation, biodiversity and environmental stewardship are increasingly urgent, Aotearoa Takes Flight also acts as an open invitation: to look closer, to notice more, and to recognise birdlife not as background, but as an essential part of the living identity of this country.
Every image is one voice, together, they take flight.
Submissions for this year's call for entries.
THANKS
TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED AND WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE EXHIBITION.
Name
Alexandra Harper
Alison Marshall
Andrew Whiteford
Art Hyde
Brad wyatt
Brenda Pinfold
Brian Scantlebury
Carole Garside
Catherine Marshall
Celia Wilson
Chris Farrington
Dana Haimona
Dave Hart
Davinia Leipst
Derek Hughes
Derek Teague
Duane Hales
Ellie Morgan
Emma Spender
Emma Trembath
George Williams
Grace Carson
Jake Sandkuijl
Jan Maree Vodanovich
Jane Dunn
Jayen Hira
Jean Holt
John Threadgill
Ken Laurie
Kelly Hughes
Kuan Chung (Paul) Chen
Lee Pritchard
Lester James Oliver
Luca Calderone
Luke Josiah Knight
Lynn Clayton
Paul Garrod
Peter Goss
Racheal Young
Rebecca Mae Terese Scerri
Rikki Coulthard
Robbie aka Green Falcon
Ross Berry
Sadie Hira
Sam Eveleigh-Wheatley
Sharad
Sheree Gare
Stephen Lynch
Suzie Dallas
Tara Swan
Toya Heatley
Vicki Harding
Zara Macaulay
Zhewenwu
WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR
Terms & Conditions
We welcome photographic interpretations of:
Native New Zealand birdlife
Coastal and marine birds
Forest and wetland species
Urban birdlife
Rare or endangered birds
Unexpected encounters and behaviours
Artistic, documentary or observational approaches
Images may be:
Colour or black and white
Landscape or portrait format
Must be captured anywhere within Aotearoa New Zealand
WHO CAN ENTER
Bird Lovers!
Pros
Emerging
Students
Hobbyists
Community photographers
Wildlife enthusiasts
All ages and experience levels are encouraged to apply and be included.
SUBMISSION DETAILS
Please submit using the form below:
One high-resolution image
Image title
Bird species (if known)
Photographers name
Location where image was captured
SELECTION OF WORK
Image quality, print suitability, and overall presentation will be considered when selecting images for the exhibition.
EXHIBITION FORMAT
Selected works will be presented as part of a large-scale salon-style installation featuring up to 100 images displayed collectively across a major gallery wall at Hastings Art Centre during FOTOFEST. Together, the exhibition will form a shared photographic portrait of birdlife in Aotearoa.
PRESENTATION AND FEES
Images will be printed to either A4 or A3 dependent on number of entries received. A fee of $10 is required when submitting your entry to cover printing costs. The print can be uplifted in person after the exhibition.
IMPORTANT DATES
Entries Open: Friday September 4th
Entries Close: Monday September 14th
Selected Artists Notified: Wednesday September 16th
Exhibition Opens: Monday September 28th as part of FOTOFEST photography festival.
USE OF IMAGE
By entering you allow FOTOFEST to use your image for social media and website promotion. Consent would be sought for any further use outside of this competition.
HOW TO ENTER
Submit your single image, and details via the form below.
Please make your payment of $10 using the button below or using the link here