Hawke’s Bay: Te Mata Peak

Grand scenic views from the iconic Te Mata Peak

Light up the Peak - Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand (2021)

  • This was one of those magic mornings where everything just seemed to come together: a peak and valley, an interesting sky, fog, sun, colour, birds, and interesting lines (x marks the spot).

Hues of Surprise - Te Mata Peak, Hawke's Bay (2024)

  • I took this on a morning when the forecast predicted significant fog. I was looking forward to the valley being completely filled with fog with just the tip of the peak visible. While making my way to the summit I realised that that wasn't going to happen. There were waves of fog above the ocean and patches of fog wherever I looked, but not the density I was hoping for. Instead, I got a colourful sunrise, where the sun briefly appeared to cast a warm glow on the peak.

Te Mata Peak Sunburst Panorama - Hawke's Bay (2020)

  • I forget how many times I have seen the sun rise from Te Mata Peak. It always feels good to have made the climb up and the view is usually majestic. And because it's Hawke's Bay the sun usually shows itself.

Mount Erin Summer Panorama - Te Mata Peak, Hawke's Bay (2021)

  • The dry, rolling hills towards Mount Erin just before sunrise on a clear summer's day.

Brief Moment of Light - Te Mata Peak, Hawke's Bay (2020)

  • A momentary gap in the clouds lets the sun come through and light up the Tukituki Valley and Te Mata Peak.

Peak Hour - Te Mata Peak, Hawke's Bay (2020)

  • The trails of cars going up and down the Te Mata Peak Lookout at sunset, with the Anzac Tree and Mount Erin in the background.

    Sometimes persistence pays off. I had been going up Te Mata Peak for a number of weeks with this shot in mind. But whenever I went, the sunset was never that great and the shot turned out quite average. Finally, a few weeks ago I got what I was hoping for; a fantastic sunset.

    Luckily, I wasn't the only one wanting to admire the sunset from the peak, so it was quite busy with cars going up and down the narrow road. Ideal for light trails.

    Note for photographers: This photo is a blend of shots taken within a 20 minute time span. The scenery with Mount Erin in the background is a panorama that combines a series of bracketed shots to capture the dynamic range. The light trails were captured last using a 20-second long exposure to capture vehicles driving from the bottom of the frame to the top.

First Light on Mount Erin - Hawke's Bay, NZ (2024)

  • Although I usually aim my camera towards the coast at sunrise, sometimes it's worth looking behind you. On this particular morning, the early sun beautifully illuminated Mount Erin, while the sky still retained some vibrant colours.

Tukituki Valley Fog Panorama - Hawke's Bay (2021)

  • Sunrises from the top of Te Mata Peak are often spectacular. Especially outside the summer season when there's often fog flowing through the Tukituki valley. I love the brief moment when the sun is just above the horizon and soft sunlight begins to appear on the hills and tips of the fog.

Light Dance - Te Mata Park, Hawke's Bay (2024)

  • The moving clouds above Te Mata Peak in combination with a low sun during golden hour created ever-changing lightbeams that produced a symphony of light worthy of a dance (and a photo).

Golden Light at Te Mata Park - Te Mata Peak, Hawke's Bay (2022)

  • People who have walked the 'Goat Track' in Te Mata Park will probably recognise this view.

Illuminated - Hawke's Bay (2022)

  • This panoramic photograph captures a solitary pine tree standing boldly silhouetted against an ethereal backdrop of illuminated fog flowing gracefully through the Tukutuki Valley.

    Taken from the summit of Te Mata Peak, the image showcases the interplay of light and shadow, as the valley’s rolling contours are softened by the glowing mist. The pine’s sharp branches contrast with the fog's fluid movement, creating a visual balance. Subtle hues in the light infuse the scene with a dreamlike quality, making it a serene and captivating portrayal of nature's quiet drama.

Land against Fog - Hawke's Bay (2022)

  • The photograph unveils a scene of fog weaving through the lush, undulating green hills as viewed from the summit of Te Mata Peak. Layers of hills cascade into the distance, their rich green tones softened by the mist that ebbs and flows like a living river. The fog clings to the valleys, creating a dynamic interplay between clarity and obscurity, while the sunlight filters through, casting a gentle, golden glow.

    As I watched this spectacle repeat over several days, I thought it resembled nature's tug of war between land and fog. Usually the land wins, but the fog doesn't give up and tries again the next day.

Bare Essentials - Hawke's Bay (2022)

  • A moody close-up of the trees at the base of Te Mata Peak. The early morning fog obscures the land underneath and behind the trees, stripping the landscape back to a minimalist scene.

All photos from this series are available for licensing and as gallery-quality fine art prints.

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