Morning Moods at Te Mata Peak

As many of you know, I frequently get up early to witness the sunrise from the summit of Te Mata Peak in Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay.

Whether you’re a regular walker in Te Mata Park or a resident photographer, the daily sunrise from the peak is a cherished experience for those who have witnessed it repeatedly.

From the summit of Te Mata Peak, you stand above the world, cradled by the ancient contours of the land.  The air is clear and crisp.  As the first light of dawn graces the horizon, the sleepy landscape of Hawke’s Bay awakens.  The Tukituki River flows through the valley below, leading your eye to the bay in the distance.  Following the curving coastline, you see Napier’s city lights and the Mahia Peninsula even further away.

And then, that magical moment: the sun’s rim breaches the horizon.  It spills warmth across your face, and you feel connected—to the land, to the sky, to the rhythm of life.  The warm sunlight hits the top of the peak and lights up the grasses and flax in front of you.  You follow the sun rise in the sky, turning from a small orange ball to a powerful yellow sphere, until it becomes too bright to look at directly. Your gaze changes away from the sun, and you see more and more hills receive their first rays, until finally the sun is high enough in the sky to light and warm up the whole valley.

Eternal Sunrise - Te Mata Peak, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand (2024)

Although this daily spectacle is over in a few minutes, it feels timeless.  Each day, it’s a reminder that no matter what challenges lie ahead, the sun will rise again, painting hope across the sky.

Foggy starts to the day bring an extra dimension.

The fog flows like a river in the valley below, sometimes climbing up the peak, and occasionally revealing the actual river and trees in the fields below.  And, as the sun begins to touch the top of the fog, the landscape gets transformed.  Often, the fog accentuates the surrounding rolling hills, sometimes waves of fog become rolling hills themselves, sometimes the fog turns into balls of fire, and sometimes the fog acts as a canvas for treetops to cast their shadows.  This spectacle turns a familiar environment into something new with lots of features to discover.

Ethereal Valley - Tukituki Valley, Hawke's Bay (2024)

Amidst this ethereal landscape, small trees stand tall, clinging to the earth, their roots anchored firmly in the soil.  As the fog lifts, revealing the world beyond, two trees emerge from their shroud — twins of solitude and endurance.

In this quiet moment, the hills, the trees, and the fog converge—a harmonious symphony of earth and sky.  It’s a scene that invites contemplation, where time slows, and the heart finds solace.

Twins of Solitude - Hawke's Bay, New Zealand (2024)

As morning unfolds, the sun’s warmth penetrates the valley.  The fog retreats, revealing the treetops one by one.  Their elongated shadows dance as the mist retreats.  Like an open-air lightshow with strobing beams, creating dynamic and visually striking effects that adds excitement and energy to a performance. 

Lightshow - Hawke's Bay, NZ (2024)

There is something renewing about this daily occurrence, and coming home with a good photo is a rewarding bonus.  Photography is not just about capturing light; it’s also about capturing emotion—the essence of a moment suspended in time.

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You can find more of these kinds of photos here

Hawke’s Bay Highlights

Hawke’s Bay: Trees in Foggy Hills

Hawke’s Bay: Te Mata Peak

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