COLOURS OF NEW ZEALAND
With images from a year of travelling around Aotearoa New Zealand, this series uncovers the greatness and contradictions of a land home to myths and wonders
"I left Europe with a working holiday visa in my pocket, and spent a whole year exploring New Zealand. In that time, I documented an amazing land, finding beauty in both disturbed and untouched territories. I deliver here the best of my work to you, inspired by the vivid myths and wondrous sights the Land of the Long White Cloud has to offer."
SAMUEL BLOCH
SAMUEL BLOCH
Dawn over the Pacific Coast
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Verdant rainforest
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Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud, is the Maori name for New Zealand. The Maori were the first people to reach New Zealand, long before European navigators. Having come from Eastern Polynesia in their waka (canoes), they developped a vivid mythology still alive today, especially in place names. Even though the Maori suffered from European settlement, a recent trend has seen greater pride in Maori culture and language, among the whole mixed population of Aotearoa. May all the people have access to equal opportunities and prosper, with English and te reo (the language) hand in hand.
"The picture above was taken from the top of Wairere Falls, a stunning, 153-meters tiered waterfalls near Matamata. To get there, I had to bike from town with all the photo gear on my back, then climb steep steps and narrow, muddy paths. I was all set for a beautiful sunset.
Then came the perilous descent in the dark, alone, the slippery trail only lit by my headlamp. It felt very long, but I was careful and took my time. I even spotted a few owls by the river! Finally I was at the car park, empty but for my bike. The trip back to town was exhausting, but the beauty I witnessed at the top kept me going. That, and the prospect of a warm shower at the hostel."
Then came the perilous descent in the dark, alone, the slippery trail only lit by my headlamp. It felt very long, but I was careful and took my time. I even spotted a few owls by the river! Finally I was at the car park, empty but for my bike. The trip back to town was exhausting, but the beauty I witnessed at the top kept me going. That, and the prospect of a warm shower at the hostel."
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"Before travelling to New Zealand, in August 2018, the image I had in mind was one of unique wildlife and untamed wilderness. To some extent, this image held true, but the country has changed a lot since the arrival of humans. Much of the primeval forest was cleared for agriculture, and the endemic biodiversity has greatly suffered from the introduction of exotic predators. Now, New Zealand is a large intensive farm, with few surviving wild places scattered around, hanging by a thread. That situation seemed to create conflicting emotions in me: sadness and anger, on the one side, but also pugnaciousness, and the drive to fight for a healthier planet." |
"In a year, one has time to see a lot. I woke up early, stayed up late, all for the love of nature and photography. I gave my best and was rewarded with wild images and stories, for me to share with whoever wants to hear."
All pictures are mine. Do not use without authorization.
