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Auckland harbour from Skytower

Auckland harbour from Skytower

Although I lived in Auckland for around a year in 2012/13 its been quite a few years since I’ve been up the Auckland Skytower. This is from the lookout or observation deck looking north west over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. In the foreground you can see the Wynyard Quarter and Westhaven Marina. On the far left is the edge of the Victoria Park. On the other side of the harbour bridge is the Northshore area’s of Chatsworth and Birkenhead. This has to be one of the best views in Auckland’s central city.

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Oriental Parade – Wellington



Oriental Parade - Wellington



This was taken from the end of the Clyde Quay Wharf.
 The white building on the left is the Freyberg Pool and Fitness Centre (my current gym). I walk along this stretch of the waterfront many times a week. In the centre is the marina, boat sheds and the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club. Above the gym on the left is the iconic Saint Gerard’s Catholic Church and Monastery. To the right of this are the beautiful villas perched on the hillside. A close look might reveal a red car on a platform that sticks out from the hill (hint, it’s next to the orange house). Then, of course, is the lookout at the top of Mount Victoria. There are about 300 metres between the boat sheds and lookout, 200 metres vertically.

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Moonrise over Wellington Harbour

Moonrise over Wellington Harbour

It was a calm evening when I took the camera up to the Wellington Cable Car. Whilst waiting around for the next car to come up the hillside. I noticed the moon starting to peak above the clouds. This is the big advantage of having a versatile lens like the 24-240mm. I was able to zoom in on the moon without changing lenses. The disadvantage is that this isn’t as sharp as it could be. It is the sharpest and best exposed of the half dozen photos I took, as the moon moved fast into the night sky. In the foreground on the right is Point Jerningham, Roseneath. In the middle distance, you can make out the white of Massey Memorial. This is at the end of Point Halswell on the Miramar Peninsula. With the Point Halswell Lighthouse to the left out in the harbour.

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Floating Braziers at Whairepo Lagoon

Floating Braziers at Whairepo Lagoon

Back in June last year Wellington celebrated Matariki ki Pōneke. The city held a month long series of events. From live music and dance to fireworks and light shows. My personal highlight was here at the Whairepo Lagoon. From Frank Kitts Park looking down on The Albatross Fountain with the lagoon behind. Matariki is the Maori name for a group of seven stars known as the Pleiades star cluster. Matariki appears in the eastern sky sometime around the shortest day of the year. Floating on the water are the Wai Ahi Floating Braziers. These braziers represent the stars of Matariki. On the other side of the lagoon was a stage with live music and dance.