Darran Mountains bivvy Photographer: Jonathan Coppi

2024 Wilderness Outdoor Photographer of the Year winners

From remote peaks to classic huts and encounters with native wildlife, this year’s photo competition did not disappoint.

From shots of scaling remote peaks to bunking down in popular huts, the Wilderness photo competition entries capture just how remarkable tramping in Aotearoa is. This year we received more than 1000 entries, and contemplating them was a visual delight. Thanks to all the entrants, and a big thanks to sponsor Panasonic New Zealand for supplying the amazing Lumix camera prizes. Here are some of our runners-up.

Here’s a selection of finalists.

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April 2024

Wildlife: Trapped in Hectorella caespitosa Photographer: Vitek Kocandrle

Huts and camping: Julia Hut at night − Photographer: Albert Nisbet

Huts and camping: Sunrise from Bealey Spur − Photographer: Ben Southan

Out there: Matukituki River crossing − Photographer: Jonathan Coppi

Wildlife: Hoiho on Enderby Island − Photographer: Shirin Engel

Huts and camping: Hut-bound − Photographer: Zack Williams

Wildlife: Kingfisher in flight − Photographer: Jeremy Sanson

Out there: Milky Way above Taranaki Maunga − Photographer: Laryn Rae

Wildlife winner

Riroriro grey warbler

Photographer: Eleanor Morgan

Judges’ comments

Alistair Hall: Though the riroriro is not a rare bird or even a colourful one, Eleanor has managed to take an interesting, captivating and skilful image.

Shaun Barnett: The riroriro’s small size and flocking nature makes it hard to photograph, and this one is beautifully captured – sharp, especially the eye, and nicely composed in its forest context. I’ve rarely seen a better riroriro photograph. Superb, Eleanor!

Eleanor is the third-place winner and receives a Lumix DMC-G7W camera worth $1199.

Out There winner

Climbing out of the tussock basin above Nardoo Hut

Photographer: Sam Harrison

Judges’ comments

Alistair Hall: This image really is ‘out there’ – in the elements and in a remote location. I like how it neatly captures the nature of off-track travel, with each tramper finding their own path of least resistance.

Shaun Barnett: Tramping the tops to a new and remote location holds great appeal, and this image, with the uncertain weather, captures that beautifully.

Sam is the second-place winner and receives a Lumix DC-G100K camera valued at $1399.

2024 Wilderness Outdoor Photographer of the Year, Huts and Camping winner

Darran Mountains bivvy

Photographer: Jonathan Coppi

Judges’ comments

Alistair Hall: This image appeals because the sleeping climber dominates it and suggests some kind of drama – the exhausting climb that has been or is yet to come. It’s a story conveyed in a photo.

Shaun Barnett: Good photography should inspire us, as this spectacular Fiordland landscape does, but it can also scare us a little. I feel nervous looking at the precarious position of this remote bivvy.

Jonathan is our outdoor photographer of the year! He receives the 20MP Lumix DC-G90M worth $1799.