Cape Reinga and the surrounding bays, situated on the Aupori Peninsula at the very top tip of New Zealand North Island are sacred sites to the indigenous Maori population The Maori populated New Zealand around 800 years ago in ocean going Waka (large twin hull canoes) originating form the central Pacific.
They believe that when a person dies in NZ of Maori origin the spirit travels up to the top of the North Island and then departs our shores to return to the ancestral homelands in the Islands of Hawaiki. No food can be taken onto this Cape due to that cultural heritage. (bring your own lunch and picnic at one of the nearby bays
This photo composite depicts the energy between our world and the spirit world as the spirit starts its journey home in honour of these ancient beliefs.
100 klm from the nearest town this national reserve has many great walking tracks and camping sites on the edge of white sand beaches is the best way to see this location.
Allow a minimum of 1 day to explore this area but it easliy rewards the photographer who has the opportunity to spend an extra day.
A group of friends on a 5 day fishing holiday have this beautiful beach to themselves. With no hotels or motels within the national reserve area then this remains a wilderness experience.
Planning your photographic adventure you should allow to stay at least until sunset as the views and colours are spectacular.
Self Drive is the ideal way to photograph this area as there are many secluded bays and walks that a standard tourist operator would not stop at
Worthy of a photographic study in its own right, its positions means its suited to sunrise as well as sunset conditions.
You walk in approximately a kilometre from the carpark and the lighthouse is always visible so there is many compositions available as well as great locations for timelapse or astro photography
An interesting phenomena to capture is the meeting of the waters as the Tasman Sea collides with majestic Pacific Ocean. Like two rivers colliding a clear line marks the converging point.
If you do stay for sunset and astro shots then you will face a 1 hour drive back to the nearest town or motel. The alternative , pack a tent and stay at one of several beachside Department of Conservation Camping Grounds within 15 minutes drive or better still travel NZ by motorhome and then you can stop pretty well whereever you want
