The six winning images were judged by members of The Shutter Room, The Whangarei District Council and Creative Northland. We all had a hard time trying to whittle it down to just six images, but managed to agree on the final choices for their originality, variety and their potential to be presented on a billboard. The final six all won a membership to the Shutter Room Collective and billboards of their six images were placed on Hihiaua Peninsular. They were showcased from late May through to mid June to help promote our fabulous city to Lion’s rugby fans here for the DHL Lions Series 2017 inaugural game, showcasing why Whangarei is a beautiful city and the very reasons why we ‘love it here’. A Peoples’ Choice award was opened to the remaining photographers whose work was exhibited in the ‘Sense of Place’ exhibition at The Shutter Room which displayed a standout selection of the entries including the finalist’s work. The exhibition opened on Friday 12 May with all the images available for purchase.
The winner of the People’s Choice award is CAMERON SCOTT GLENDINNING! Congratulations Cameron you have won a $200 prezzy card from the Whangarei District Council for your awesome photograph “Hidden Gem” Seen below.
Finalists for the Whangare: Love it Here photography competition
Amateur/Public Category (over 18yrs) winners Ngareta Willcocks with her son “Keagan” on the paddle board and Courtenay Harrop’s “Breathless Marina”.
Professional Category winners Jules Riding with “Boatsheds, Whangarei Basin” John Jayme with “Entering Golden Hour” and Erena Donnelly’s “Walkway”
Student Category winner is Zachary Snushall, age 15 with his image titled “Kauakarangi Manaia”.
Here they are up on the Hatea Loop right next to the beautiful Waka and Wave sculpture @ Hihiaua Peninsula