Waikato River Bridge at Tuakau

Built in 1933 at a cost of $48,000 this 230 metre span replaced a wooden bridge built in 1902 when one of its spans collapsed in 1929. 

The Waikato is New Zealand longest river at a length of 425km - there is a very good explanation here Wikipedia

Hunua Falls

Incredibly accessible the Hunua Falls sits on the edge of the Hunua Regional Park. Less than one hour in the off-peak from the Auckland CBD and reached via a pleasant drive east of Papakura.

Very much in the shade this time of year and also not so busy - incredibly dangerous for swimmers who don't know what they are doing - people have drowned here as it is 19m deep under the falls with hidden obstructions and foamy fresh water offering limited buoyancy.

Constant fresh water mist equals lovely moss

Rangitoto Island as seen from North Head - mid winter

Photos taken from the beautiful walk around North Head at dead low tide.

(Canon 5D4 - 11 stop ND filters,  f18,  63 seconds,  ISO 50,  24mm) 

Wenderholm black and whites

One of my favourite photo places - Wenderholm Regional Park. Take a lunch and a drink and spend time in the estuary, on the beach or amongst the beautiful trees - aways something beautiful to inspire - hence my "go too" place for a mental boost.

Mid winter low sun at Muriwai

Lake Pukaki

Wedding photos at Muriwai

Always the popular location for wedding photo's even for the hardiest of souls - maybe it sounded like a good idea while planning six months ago in the Auckland heat.

Congratulations to this bare footed bride and intrepid photographer in the freezing cold with a pretty decent wind blowing - and on an incoming tide.

Note to photographer - there is a reason fishermen using this location wear life jackets.

Mid winter at Muriwai

Muriwai in mid-winter with very heavy sea spray

Lower Nihotupu Dam - Waitakere Ranges

The Pump House chimney at Lake Pupuke

Waitemata Harbour - Northcote Point Ferry Terminal

Auckland Harbour Bridge

Harbour Bridge with a hint of fog remaining

Cornwallis Wharf

The wharf at Cornwallis on the Manukau Harbour,  much loved by fishermen 

First fog of the Autumn - Northcote Point

Another of Brents spectacular guitars

Another guitar built by Brent Piggott, Engineer by day and Luthier by night. You can find more project details here  Brents Blog

Autumn leaves from the back yard.

Nature is amazing 

Muriwai in summer

The platform (centre top) is a very popular fishing spot - below.

Inside the Sky tower

Photo from inside the Sky Towers observation platform - children's entertainment just in case the views from far above the city are not  stimulating enough. The towers windows slope back and create odd refections of the inner walls as in this case.

Navy Dry dock

The Navy had an open day recently so we took the opportunity to see what's below an enormous crane which appears from time to time and easily seen from home, well pretty much from everywhere!!

Cuba Street Wellington

When I lived in Wellington (late 1960's - late 1970's) Cuba street was always the centre of the quirky off beat / student crowd.

While many of the other smaller streets have, over the passing decades, been swallowed up in a frenzy of street "improvements" Cuba Street has retained it character.

On my frequent work trips to Wellington between 1996 and 2016 I used to often wander from my hotel to Upper Cuba street and be transported back to my student days and time spent living in the inner city.

Recently they celebrated the Cuba Street Festival News piece

Photos below kindly supplied by Colin McLeod Morrison  (Sony RX1R - straight from the camera) 

"I like the couple photographing their burgers while opposite the woman is absorbed in her phone while her partner enjoys some street food and is watching me take the shot. " 

"A Dry-cleaners now a bar, very Cuba St.

Corner of Cuba and Able Smith Streets, opposite where real Groovy Records was until recently ... time and place move but the vibe remains ..." 

Auckland's Spaghetti junction at night

Auckland's famous "spaghetti" junction taken at night, this is only about half of this multi layered interchange.

The purple section is the new cycleway which utilises an old former right hand (from the fast lane) exit off State Highway One.

Auckland City at night

Auckland City from Stanley Bay 

Auckland downtown from the Sky tower. Stanley Bay top centre across the water.

Chinese Lantern Festival Auckland - Final night fireworks

Fireworks celebrating the final night of this years Chinese Lantern festival held once again in the Auckland Domain.

These fireworks viewed from across the Waitemata Harbour several km away.

(5-10 second exposures )