Only a few weeks remain to see Wildlife Photographer of the Year at Hamilton’s Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato.
On tour from the Natural History Museum in London, the world-renowned exhibition will close on Sunday 23 April 2023.
The most prestigious photography award of its kind, Wildlife Photographer of the Year features 100 remarkable images from around the globe and has resulted in record-breaking visitor numbers at Waikato Museum. It is the first time Hamilton Kirikiriroa has been home to the exhibition, which will not be touring anywhere else in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“It is an honour to be the exclusive New Zealand hosts for this exhibition, particularly as it carries such a powerful message about kaitiakitanga and the importance of caring for our natural environment,” said Liz Cotton, Director of Museum and Arts, Waikato Museum.
“The response from our community has been so enthusiastic – whether it be people with a passion for nature photography, or those looking for something out of the ordinary to brighten up their weekend.”
We’ve welcomed tens of thousands of visitors from Hamilton and around the country to admire and absorb this exceptional showcase. Now there’s only a few weeks left, we anticipate many more will be coming to make sure they don’t miss out, or to enjoy it again before it goes.”
The closing weekend of the exhibition includes a free public talk by award-winning photojournalist Richard Robinson. Held on Saturday 22 April, “Beneath The Lens” will dive into the world of underwater photography as Robinson shares about his fascinating career, from the gear he uses to the crucial role of scientific research.
Two of Robinson’s underwater images were selected by Wildlife Photographer of the Year’s international panel of judges, highlighting the work being done to protect the endangered population of tohoraa [southern right whales].
Launched in 1965, today the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition receives entries from more than 90 different countries, highlighting its enduring appeal. This year’s award-winning images are on an international tour that will allow them to be seen by millions of people all over the world, including here in Hamilton.
Winner of the Grand Title award was ‘The big buzz’ by Karine Aigner, shot with a macro lens to show the frenzy of Texan cactus bees competing to mate. This captivating image, and all other prize winners, are among the 100 photographs on display at Waikato Museum in Wildlife Photographer of the Year until 23 April 2023.
