Hawke’s Bay: Te Mata Peak
Grand scenic views from the iconic Te Mata Peak
Light up the Peak - Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand (2021)
This image captures a magical sunrise from the summit of Te Mata Peak, overlooking the mist-shrouded Tukituki Valley. The scene showcases a momentary, yet perfect convergence of elements: a golden sun rising over the landscape, fog flowing gently through the valley, and birds in flight adding life to the scene. Enhancing the composition further, the sky, fog and the peak create natural leading lines that form an 'X,' guiding the viewer’s eye through the image.
Hues of Surprise - Te Mata Peak, Hawke's Bay (2024)
I took this on a morning when the forecast predicted significant fog. I was looking forward to the valley being completely filled with fog with just the tip of the peak visible. While making my way to the summit I realised that that wasn't going to happen. There were waves of fog above the ocean and patches of fog wherever I looked, but not the density I was hoping for. Instead, I got a colourful sunrise, where the sun briefly appeared to cast a warm glow on the peak.
Golden Peak - Havelock North, Hawke's Bay (2024)
A scenic view from Te Mata Peak taken just after sunrise on a partly cloudy day at the end of summer. The warm sunlight bathes the dry grass in a golden hue and illuminates the flax in the foreground with a radiant glow.
Return to the Peak - Havelock North, Hawke's Bay (2023)
I took this image just after the road to the summit of Te Mata Peak was re-opened after Cyclone Gabrielle lashed Hawke's Bay and caused major damage. That meant that cars could drive all the way to the top of the peak again. Not that I did, as I prefer to walk and find a nice place along the way to put up the tripod and enjoy the sunrise.
Go with the Flow - Te Mata Peak, Hawke's Bay (2021)
A thick blanket of fog flowing through the Tukituki valley while the warm, early morning sun lights up Te Mata Peak.
Red Flowers and Green Hills - Te Mata Peak, Havelock North (2020)
A view of Te Mata Peak with red flowers in the foreground.
Home - Te Mata Peak, Havelock North (2025)
On my first morning back after several weeks away, jet lag nudged me out of bed just in time to climb Te Mata Peak before sunrise. I hadn’t intended to photograph the peak itself—my focus was on the trees below—but when I saw this familiar scene bathed in soft, golden light, I couldn’t resist. In that quiet moment, everything felt right again. It was good to be home.
Te Mata Peak Sunburst Panorama - Hawke's Bay (2020)
I forget how many times I have seen the sun rise from Te Mata Peak. It always feels good to have made the climb up and the view is usually majestic. And because it's Hawke's Bay the sun usually shows itself.
Brief Moment of Light - Te Mata Peak, Hawke's Bay (2020)
A momentary gap in the clouds lets the sun come through and light up the Tukituki Valley and Te Mata Peak.
Mount Erin Summer Panorama - Te Mata Peak, Hawke's Bay (2021)
The dry, rolling hills towards Mount Erin just before sunrise on a clear summer's day.
Peak Hour - Te Mata Peak, Hawke's Bay (2020)
The trails of cars going up and down the Te Mata Peak Lookout at sunset, with the Anzac Tree and Mount Erin in the background.
Sometimes persistence pays off. I had been going up Te Mata Peak for a number of weeks with this shot in mind. But whenever I went, the sunset was never that great and the shot turned out quite average. Finally I got what I was hoping for; a fantastic sunset.
Luckily, I wasn't the only one wanting to admire the sunset from the peak, so it was quite busy with cars going up and down the narrow road. Ideal for light trails.
First Light on Mount Erin - Hawke's Bay, NZ (2024)
Although I usually aim my camera towards the coast at sunrise, sometimes it's worth looking behind you. On this particular morning, the early sun beautifully illuminated Mount Erin, while the sky still retained some vibrant colours.
Tukituki Valley Fog Panorama - Hawke's Bay (2021)
Sunrises from the top of Te Mata Peak are often spectacular. Especially outside the summer season when there's often fog flowing through the Tukituki valley. I love the brief moment when the sun is just above the horizon and soft sunlight begins to appear on the hills and tips of the fog.
Crimson Light, Silent Land - Te Mata Peak, Hawke's Bay (2025)
Te Mata Peak glows under a pastel sky as autumn settles quietly into the Hawke’s Bay hills.
Awakened by the Sun - Te Mata Peak, Hawke's Bay (2025)
Bathed in gold while the land below sleeps, the mountain greets the day before everything else.
Light Dance - Te Mata Park, Hawke's Bay (2024)
The moving clouds above Te Mata Peak in combination with a low sun during golden hour created ever-changing lightbeams that produced a symphony of light worthy of a dance (and a photo).
Star in the Park - Havelock North, Hawke's Bay, NZ (2025)
I captured this image on one of my regular walks to the summit of Te Mata Peak, carefully timing my visit to coincide with the setting sun. I was fortunate to photograph the sun just as it dipped below a cloud, creating a well-defined sun star.
Goat Track Sunrise - Te Mata Park, Hawke's Bay (2025)
A thick blanket of fog envelops the Tukituki Valley, as seen from the Goat Track in Te Mata Park, while the rising sun begins to illuminate the surrounding hills.
Sunrise Blooms - Tukituki Valley, Hawke's Bay, NZ (2024)
From my vantage point atop the peak, I gazed out over the Tukituki Valley, with vibrant flowers swaying in the foreground on a windy and misty day. As the sun was rising above the horizon, casting its glow on the landscape, this serene and magical scene unfolded before me. Just five minutes later, the sun slipped behind the clouds, and the spectacle vanished, leaving behind a memory of nature's fleeting beauty.
All photos from this series are available for licensing and as gallery-quality fine art prints.
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