Photographer of the Year 2025 — Winners
In 2025, there were 36 winners in Photographer of the Year, each a compelling reflection of who we are as a people and the environment we live in.
Photographer of the Year 2025 — Finalists
These are the finest images of 2025. Now you be the judge—vote on your five favourites.
Photographer of the Year 2024 — Winners
Each frame is a photographer’s gallant attempt to describe the world in front of them—a real image of Aotearoa, and a reflection of who we are as a nation.
Photographer of the Year 2024 — Finalists
The finest images of 2024 have been announced. Now is your chance to vote on your five favourites.
Photographer of the Year 2023 — Winners
When you take a photo, why do you take a photo? The winning photographs of the 2023 Photographer of the Year can answer that central question.
Photographer of the Year 2023 — Finalists
The finest images of 2023 have been announced. Now is your chance to vote on your favourites.
We couldn’t do it without them
The sponsors that contribute to the New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year season of events provide the funds, networks and resources to make it all happen.
Photographer of the Year 2022 — Winners
Judges sifted and sorted, ranked and graded, compared and contrasted until the winners emerged from 55 finalists in Photographer of the Year. These are they.
Photographer of the Year 2022 — Finalists
The finest images of 2022 have been announced. Now is your chance to vote on your favourites.
Photographer of the Year 2021 — Winners
Among the best frames of 2021 were just a handful of winners, drum roll please…
Photographer of the Year 2020 — Winners
From nearly 6000 entries, judges whittled it down to just 40 finalists, then winners, runners-up and highly commended—each a new expression of the environment and society in which we live. These are the finest frames of 2020.
Photographer of the Year 2019 — Winners
Winning visions of New Zealand’s environment and society.
Next generation
When one smartphone camera isn’t enough, try four.
Photographer of the Year 2018—winners
52 of the finest and freshest visions of New Zealand’s environment and society.
Ignorance is no alibi
New Zealand-born photojournalist Robin Hammond does not turn away from human suffering, but bears it witness. His images of rape in the aftermath of civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, industrial injustice in Lesotho, and mental health across northern Africa have created global concern, and demand that we do not turn away either.
Tools
A vision of community
Jonathan Suckling’s vision for the future of Aotearoa is for a country where people live connected lives full of meaning; one in which we learn to listen and appreciate those around us.
A vision of love
Nisha Ravji’s hope for the future of New Zealand is that we continue to celebrate love no matter what we identify with or where we come from.
More by dan_roberts
A vision of nurturing
Esther Bunning’s hope for the future of Aotearoa is that we nurture and encourage the voice of our youth.
When the rain came for Tolaga Bay
These scenes are familiar to anyone living in a region where forestry dominates the landscape. Photographer Rob Suisted, who rode his motorbike through the backblocks of the flood-stricken North Island to capture the following images, says the land looks “like Papatūānuku has had her skin torn off”.