AND THE WINNERS ARE…

With 427entries submitted in the Central Otago ‘Heritage in Focus’ photography competition, selecting the winners was no easy task.

Judges considered many factors, including technique, composition, tone, lighting and focus. Diverse interpretations of heritage were encouraged, covering natural heritage, built structures and cultural context. Most importantly, judges considered the emotive impact of each photo.

You will see that a few photographers won multiple awards. Please be aware that judges were not given the name of photographers at any time during the judging process.

We hope you enjoy looking at these wonderful photographs.

THANKS AGAIN for all the wonderful entries!

Winner

Home Hills Cook House
Near Wedderburn

Photographer: Mike Langford, Twizel

This is the only roughcast cookhouse I know of in the whole of the Central Otago region and notes a period when this cladding method was used for farm buildings.

WINNER  |  PROFESSIONAL

Runners-up

Watching Kopuwai
Old Main Range

Photographer: Mary Hinsen, Cromwell

‘Watching Kopuwai’ reflects the harsh, windswept landscape of this wāhi taoka and the beautiful open skies that are quintessentially Central Otago. The legend of Kopuwai is a tale of bravery, initiative and winning against the odds.

RUNNER-UP  |  PROFESSIONAL

Interior Home Hills Cook House
Near Wedderburn

Photographer: Mike Langford, Twizel

Having access to photograph the interior of this old type
of cookhouse is something that is seldom possible in Central Otago due to very few of them being left.

RUNNER-UP  |  PROFESSIONAL

Highly Commended

Historic Huts
Near Wedderburn

Photographer: Meghan Maloney, Cambridge NZ

This image reminds me of a Grahame Sydney painting with the historic huts at Home Hills against a backdrop of
a classic Central Otago hillside.

HIGHLY COMMENDED  |  PROFESSIONAL

Winner

Snow at Home Hills Run
Near Wedderburn

Photographer: Amy Hughes, Ranfurly

Isolated historic farm building near the Hawkduns.

WINNER  |  AMATEUR

Runners-up

Earnscleugh – Winter Bareness
Earnscleugh

Photographer: Susan Church, Alexandra

I am currently studying as a photography student. I had
an assignment for ‘Sense of Place’. This photo shows the bareness of winter surrounding the castle. This shot will  not be able to be taken like this again as the Castle in now under renovation.

RUNNER-UP  |  AMATEUR

Brinsdon Rd
Ranfurly

Photographer: Andrew Busst, Queenstown

Empty gravel roads, deserted rail trails, sweeping landscapes dotted with changing cloud formations.
You are in Central and never been happier.

RUNNER-UP  |  AMATEUR

Highly Commended

The Beauty in the Climb
Pisa Range

Photographer: Keri McLachan

Exploring an area that is almost untouched from change apart from conservation signs and fences.

HIGHLY COMMENDED  |  AMATEUR

The Swallows of Wedderburn
Photographer: Andrew Busst, Queenstown

The shed is a simple reminder of the activity that used to occur in this sleepy location. The swallows were a pleasant surprise that kept me by for over an hour trying to capture their playful antics.

HIGHLY COMMENDED  |  AMATEUR

Little White Hut
Rough Ridge

Photographer: Mark Orbell, Wanaka

Historical musterers huts dot the landscape all over Central Otago. A welcome sight to any farmer after a long day in the saddle rounding up sheep.

HIGHLY COMMENDED  |  AMATEUR

Alexandra Bridge
Alexandra

Photographer: Rachel MacDougall, Omakau

This photo of the Alexandra Bridge means heritage to me as it shows bridge below Central Otago’s clear night skies with the Clutha River reflecting the bridge lights.

HIGHLY COMMENDED  |  AMATEUR

End of the Line
Clyde

Photographer: Mark Orton, Clyde

As far as European settlement in the area goes, the railway link to the Coast was an integral part of our built heritage.
It is also this same heritage that compels people from outside the region to visit, not by carriage and coal anymore, rather by leg-powered pistons.

HIGHLY COMMENDED  |  AMATEUR

Brown Hut
Oteake

Photographer: Amy Hughes, Ranfurly

Brown Hut, built in 1949 by brothers, Hector and Roderick Peart for their sluicing operations, post war. Isolated in Oteake Conservation Park.

HIGHLY COMMENDED  |  AMATEUR

Last Train from Rehua
Poolburn Gorge

Photographer: Andy Cicada, Alexandra

13.6 billion year old Milky Way stands over the entrance of 120 year old Poolburn Tunnel No 2. Walking through the tunnel your eyes become so adjusted to the dark the stary skies look spectacular when you emerge.

HIGHLY COMMENDED  |  AMATEUR

Wetlands Wonder
Upper Taieri

Photographer: Andrew Busst, Queenstown

The Upper Taieri has landforms that many New Zealanders have never seen. The relationships between DoC, the farmers and the land are very special here. Sometimes strained but always a sense that the land must be cared for.

HIGHLY COMMENDED  |  AMATEUR

Winner

Pleated Hills
Central Otago

Photographer: Anabelle Beange, Alexandra (age 17yrs)

This photograph captures an abstract view of the rolling hills of Central Otago. The rocky and dry landscape paired with the strong contrast of the shadows make this picture visually interesting.

WINNER  |  YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER

Runners-up

Behind the Door
Alexandra

Photographer: Ellena Graves, Alexandra (age 12 yrs)

The door opens to a room when miners once kept their explosives. They would use those items to blow up the gold mines to try and search for more gold.

RUNNER-UP  |  YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER

Over the Bridge
Ophir

Photographer: Tiaan Piaterse, Omakau (age 11 yrs)

I took this photo of the Ophir Bridge as this is a historic bridge and I like to bike over it in the summer.

RUNNER-UP  |  YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER

Highly Commended

Double Old Bridge
Alexandra

Photographer: Korey Hunt (age 13 yrs)

It’s a nice photo of the historic bridge on a nice sunny day.

HIGHLY COMMENDED  |  YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER

Mystery Lake
Knobby Range

Photographer: Cooper Welsh (age 15 years)

I think this photo shows the beautiful Central Otago untouched countryside.

HIGHLY COMMENDED  |  YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER

St Enoch’s Church
Alexandra

Photographer: Tayla Ward (age 12 years)

The church at the corner of Alexandra’s main street is made of schist which Alexandra is well known for.

HIGHLY COMMENDED  |  YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER