M O T U K I E K I E

New Zealand Landscape Photographer

What do you get when you combine some starfish, some sea stacks, a rock reef and some epic water movement? Probably the most wild and dramatic west coast location in New Zealand!

Motukiekie, although no state secret, is easily passed by and I know this because it happened to me and I was looking for the place!

This has to be one of the wonders of natures architecture and design. It's just so dramatic and stunning yet also incredibly unforgiving. To get this composition you have around 30mins-1hr to take the shot and that's only if the swell even allows you onto the reef! With ferocious tidal movement here, this is not the place you want to get caught out.

I was born and raised on the west coast so I understand it's power and it's dangers, so you need to visit these places with a healthy respect and awareness.

To be amongst this landscape and to experience all it offers is what calls me back time and time again. For me, this really is the essence of Aotearoa.