A dreamy Pongakawa wedding

I was thrilled to shoot Ash and Matty's wedding at Pongakawa's Old Forest School a few weeks back, working alongside Dave in this new role (that's one of his shots below). It came together through our good friend Nicole; one of Ash's bridesmaids, who was kind enough to recommend us. Ash and Matty met a decade ago and they're still on that run of good luck, scoring a stunning clear-skied day for their ceremony! The Old Forest School has a peaceful, removed-from-civilisation feel. In fact, it's a 30 minute drive from Lake Rotoma where I've spent summers since I was born, yet I'd never known it existed. We found endless spaces to explore; rambling lanes and quiet leafy courtyards for Ash and Matty to steal a little time together after a spectacular ceremony. Thank you to the Olsens for having us share this special day with you.

Parininihi / Maunga Taranaki

This two-week-old chick is one of the first kokako to hatch in Taranaki in over 30 years, after birds were released in Parininihi from predator-free Tiritiri Matangi earlier this year. As a bonus it's one of a clutch of three, which is the largest possible for kokako, and it's even more unusual for all three to hatch successfully. 

Unfortunately their mum Mere is a terrible builder of nests and Dave had to wire her lopsided attempt to its tree, to avoid it falling out under the weight of a rapidly growing family.

On a high, we completed the monotonous 24km Pouakai circuit a day early, drove to Dawson Falls and wandered the hour in to Waingongoro Hut for the night. It's an excellent trail through a dense and eerie kamahi/fern forest over clear streams, with a view of the maunga from the hut deck. Sometimes the best ones are the short ones.

Holly Hut, Pouakai circuit

A beautiful day on the Pouakai circuit. Bulbinella spp (?), ubiquitous across the tops

On to Waingongoro Hut, past the highest swingbridge in the Park

Looking West from Waingongoro Hut

Pīwakawaka

At least someone is nesting! We have no kōkako incubating yet.