Dolphins in the Bay of Islands.

Mount Taranaki, or Mount Egmont, is the centre of attention of the Taranaki region on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is a dormant stratovolcano and one of the most symmetrical volcanic cones in the world. It is located in a national park with intensively-farmed dairy pasture reaching right up to the mostly-circular park boundary.

Muriwai Beach - New Zealand

Mclaren Falls Park near Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.

Looking across the sea from the hills above the Ohope west end beach. I'd spotted the start of a rainbow in the bright spot of the sky, but it never developed further than this - still made a nice relaxed and dreamy image I thought!

© Dominic Scott 2022

I've not long returned from a fabulous trip to the North Island of New Zealand.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Metrosideros fulgens (scarlet rātā, rātā vine or in Māori akatawhiwhi) is a forest liana or vine endemic to New Zealand. It occurs in coastal and lowland forest throughout the North Island, on the west coast of the South Island and on the Three Kings Islands north of Cape Reinga. It is one of a number of New Zealand Metrosideros species which live out their lives as vines, unlike the northern rata (M.robusta), which generally begins as a hemi-epiphyte and grows into a huge tree. Scarlet rātā is one of the better-known species of rātā vines, because it flowers in autumn or winter, and is often highly visible on well-lit host trees along forest roads, with vibrant displays of large red flowers (sometimes orange or yellow) that rise above the forest canopy.

Photographed at Pukeiti Gardens in Taranaki. www.trc.govt.nz/gardens/pukeiti/

© Dominic Scott 2022

Kāpiti Island, Wellington.

A residence on the island.

even in winter we have splendid beach weather..now and then

In the centre back ground I framed a glimpse of one of the Three Sisters along the west coats near Mokau, New Plymouth. I lifted the shadows in this shot to show the different layers in the rocks dominating the foreground.

Looking back...

north island new zealand

taken from crystal symphony at princes wharf

2024 update - crystals symphony & serenity are operating a worldwide cruise programme after massive refurbishment by owners abercrombie & kent

Me and the sheep enjoying the sun rising over Mount Maunganui beach.

Actually I think the sheep are just enjoying the grass and not the view.

Getty Images

Branches radiating out from the trunk of a Rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum).

Wellington, New Zealand

an unusual time of day to arrive

( a few hours late due to a day or two of constant headwinds )

and the city of sails was living up to it's name

hauraki gulf, auckland north island new zealand

Rainbow over my place

on the boat between north and south island, New Zealand

Palmerston North hosted the national MG Pre 1956 Rally which I thought would be well worth the look - some beautiful old machinery on display!

The concours and public display was held in the Palmerston North square. This event alternates between the North & South Islands.

© Dominic Scott 2025

In New Zealand we saw lots of sheep

auckland, new zealand

This is at the summit called Tabletop, the last picture I took before we ran away from the rain.

North Island, New Zealand

Kāpiti Island, Wellington.

The island is a nature reserve and bird sanctuary. Pests such as rats and possums were successfully eradicated in the late '90s. There are only a handful of residents on the island.

Nikon FG20

Wellington, NZ