New Zealand

Hello Aotearoa! Visiting New Zealand was a dream trip I had long desired and carefully planned. The country is blessed with breathtaking landscapes and one of the most stunning night skies in the Southern Hemisphere. Thanks to its low population density - especially on the South Island - light pollution is minimal, similar to Namibia. In some places, you can even experience pristine Bortle 1 skies. What amazed me most was how quickly the scenery changes; every half hour of driving reveals a completely new landscape, making New Zealand incredibly diverse. After spending a week on the North Island, I flew to Christchurch, where I met up with my photography friends. Together, we set off on a two-week road trip around the South Island, exploring various locations for astrophotography. Because New Zealand lies farther south than Namibia, the prominent southern constellations and celestial objects - like Crux and the Magellanic Clouds - rise higher in the sky. Even the Milky Way appears slightly different, revealing perspectives you can’t easily see in Africa. The thought of capturing these views in my images filled me with excitement - and finally, my dream came true.