Nelson-Tasman photo competition

NELSON-TASMAN

PHOTO COMPETITION

Words by Anne Hardie

Budding photographers were quick to enter the Grow NZ Women and Go Horticulture inaugural ‘Fun Sun Grow’ photo competition.

The aim was to showcase the Nelson-Tasman horticulture scene and add a touch of cheer to a year disrupted by Covid-19.

Go Horticulture’s careers progression manager for the region, Robyn Patterson, says it did just that, with entries flowing in of bees, flowers, orchard work and even a prickly hedgehog bundle. “We were acknowledging it had been a tough year for people and we wanted to cheer people up and do something positive in the community. We’re horticulture groups, so we had a horticulture theme and we wanted to showcase the industry. “People got behind the competition and we got some good photos from it,” she says. “I think it inspired people to open their eyes.” Entries had to be from amateur photographers and had to include a living thing with a heartbeat. It was split into four categories and sponsors provided substantial prizes for the winner. The category for school students with a prize of $250, was won by Charlie Robinson-Burrell. The community category with a prize of $500 went to Tash Berridge. The category for entrants working in the horticulture industry was won by Monique Murphy, who received $500. And the prize for the overall winning photo was awarded to Erica Henare who received $1,000. The photos were put on the Grow NZ Women’s Facebook page and voting was judged by the most likes. The competition was advertised via multiple social media networks and Horticulture New Zealand, plus the polytech, schools and even the Nelson Regional Development Agency. Organisers also ‘blitzed’ the region with posters to entice people to get out their camera or phone and capture an image. Robyn says the success of the competition has prompted the Nelson-Tasman groups to plan another next year, with Horticulture New Zealand planning to hold a national competition.

Overall winning photo by Erica Henare