Waiatarua is a small settlement near the top of the Waitakere range, bordering New Zealand's largest city, Auckland.
Waiatarua means "song of two waters," likely referring to the opportunity to see both the wild west coast and the still-shimmering waters of the Manukau and Waitemata Harbours.
At the 2018 New Zealand census, Waiatarua had a population of 2,148 with 735 households.
The Rose Hellaby House in Waiatarua is an elegant 'English cottage' style house designed in 1939 and now leased to Aranui Antiques and Collectibles.
Set on nine hectares of land, the site is an excellent vantage point overlooking the varied scenery of West Auckland, the Manukau and Waitemata Harbours and beyond. Breathtaking views can be taken from the viewing platform on the back of the lawn.
The nearby Arataki Information Centre, which offers information on the local flora, fauna and geology, is the starting point for a number of well-maintained walking trails in the area.
The Waiataru area includes the Upper and Lower Nihotupu water reservoirs. The paths leading to these reservoirs are scenic walking trails through native forests past waterfalls. These trails are linked to the broader network of walking trails within Waitakere Regional Park.
Local state primary schools are Oratia School and Henderson Valley School, and local state secondary schools are Kelston Boys High School and Kelston Girls College.
Often end up with grainy shots like this and I hesitate to post it but Milkyway chasing is about so much more than just the final picture. The thrill of chasing the composition, enjoying staring at the bright stars, running in and out of rain clouds which ALWAYS storm in when you have something lined up, trying to figure out how best to process it later on to portray what you saw and how it felt.. and most memorably the week long recovery after a long night out π. This was the last shot of the 'night', taken at 4.42am. This time of year the sky is nice and dark with the galactic core above horizon for extended periods of time but if you want to see it arching over the West Coast then be prepared for some odd hours! π€
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EXIF:ISO1600,20 seconds,12mm F2.0,Sony A6000
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π π Tried my hand at some surf photography, this is one genre that is a lot harder than it looks but quite a lot of fun running around trying to find compositions. Used a vintage telephoto lense and I am blown away at how it compresses the background, the sky looks almost like a water painting. Thank you West Auckland beach sunsets for the CRAZY colours!
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π π Waved goodbye to the weekend, filled with memories of what seems like several days of adventure. The west coast is very quickly becoming my happy place.
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My face when itβs 11:11 & I make a wish.. π₯°πβ¨ || wearing piha_swimwear π(gifted)
π·: timdfilm
How special is this! A Home Portrait of my own! π€
I recently had a 2 week stay back at my family home in Kelston in between flats. My good friend and amazing photographer timdfilm offered to come and shoot my own home portrait as a thank you for taking a home portrait for him. This is my ma and I sitting in the lounge of the home I grew up in, in front of the rimu wall my dad built and with his picture sitting just above us. π₯°
My parents purchased this house in 1984 and I lived there until I was 17 when I moved to Grey Lynn. Itβs always been my home even when Iβm not living there - itβs simple and beautiful and so many memories were created here. I couldnβt imagine not having this place to come back to if I need.
Iβm so grateful for this pic timdfilm ππ½π€ Itβs something we will treasure for ever! Thank you for all you do!
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ποΈπ¦ Collecting sticks to build some kind of hut by Pihas Lion Rock. Spoiler alert, the tide came in moments later and swept those sticks away π Appreciate every moment while you have it, happy Friday!
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Sigma 400mm f5.6 adapted to Sony E on A7Riii
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//EXIF 400mm f/8, ISO100, 1/60sec
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π¦ π§οΈ Ducking in and out of rain clouds, chasing some sort of composition. Weather doesn't always agree with an astrophotographer's wishes and by the time you set the tripod again, you lose the moment to get that panorama you had planned. Oh well, there's always another time, sometimes that happens to be months later but makes the chase all the more satisfying when you finally get it. This spot is called the Piha Gap and it is not a difficult hike to get here, I'll have to come back during sunset one of these days, I've never seen this place in daylight π
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EXIF:ISO1600,20 seconds,12mm F2.0,Sony A6000
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The three brothers are reunited, celebrating under the 7 sisters (Matariki). Matariki is a time of Maori New Years, the word translates directly to βeyes of godβ referring to the 7 star cluster Pleiades. Pictured behind us is a strikingly similar cluster known as Southern Pleiades and we were absolutely stoked to get gaps in the clouds to observe this as we celebrate our own little reunion post covid lockdowns. This is a very important event in Maori culture, I hope New Zealand will coin this a public holiday with respect.
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Beautiful Sunset at Karekare, New Zealand. Photo πΈ By mrlesterchan
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Beautiful sunrise at Cornwallis Wharfπ
Photo By πΈ ianray_nz
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Weekend getaway in XGT4X π
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2018. Muriwai beach. I took this shot without even realising this rock pool was shaped like a fish. It had to be pointed out to me π€£
Canon 5DIII, 17-40mm f/4L. Lee big stopper. 240sec exposure if I recall correctly.
Still one of my favourite shots.
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ππΆ Sun setting behind Kauwahaia Island is just another of so many hidden gems in our own backyard of Auckland. This is a charming little area located in OβNeill Bay accessed via Te Henga (Bethells Beach). Arrived early to scout locations to shoot the stars that night but as it happens, I had a great deal of fun trying to shoot sunset scenes. I normally avoid the sun in frame as was used to getting horrible flares with my old wide angle lense but happy days now playing around trying to get sun stars, learning to use ND/CPL filter and heart racing moment camera almost went for a swim when attempting the classic sunset long exposure closer to the beach π€£π¦
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Happy Earth Day 2020! π βWe seize all the tools and actions that we have, big and small, to change our lives and change our world, not for one day, but forever. ππ½ While the coronavirus may force us to keep our distance, it will not force us to keep our voices down. The only thing that will change the world is a bold and unified demand for a new way forward.
We may be apart, but through the power of digital media, weβre also more connected than ever.
While Earth Day may be going digital, our goal remains the same: to mobilize the world to take the most meaningful actions to make a difference.
No matter where you are, you can make a difference. And youβre not alone, because together, we can save the Earth.β ππΈπ±
Piha! First time with a camera here. 10/10 would trade again. fujifilmxseriesnz X-T3 and 16mm f1.4, mefototripods Backpacker Tripod and breakthrough.photography 6 Stop X2 ND Filter.
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π§βπ€βπ§ ποΈ Long walks on the beach. Piha showcasing that famous "sky on fire" sunset quite typical of West Auckland beaches.
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Due to the angle of the sun at this time and the volume/density of gas that the light passes through in the atmosphere, it really brings out that red in the longer end of the visible light spectrum. One of those moments that if you're not watching for it, can pass quite quickly in the later moments of golden hour, was constantly adjusting the ISO setting to keep as didnβt want to compromise the shutter speed and miss those waves. If you are curious to search more about it, the phenomenon is called "Rayleigh scattering".
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Are you even a kid if you donβt pester your parents to swing you ?!
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There goes another weekend gone in a flash!
I wish they would last longer but I love how we are always making the most of them filling them up with family time.
We were lucky enough to have our friend halliecampbellphotography take some photos of us weekend.She was so patient with Hollys larger then Life personality and Iβm always so grateful for family photos.
How did you spend your weekend?
