“How Kiwis See the World” Photo Competition winners

“How Kiwis See the World” Photo Competition winners announced

27 July 2012 – House of Travel has announced the winners of its “How Kiwis See the World” photo competition which has been running throughout the month of July. The Grand Prize Winner was Campbell Maunder of Masterton, whose brooding photo of a storm brewing over rice paddy fields, taken in Kuta, Indonesia, took the coveted first prize. Maunder’s photo was selected from over 7000 entries to win $10000 of Air Travel from Qantas, and a Canon EOS 60D DSLR Camera Kit.

The competition which has been promoted by House of Travel in conjunction with TVNZ Breakfast announced its winners by live cross on Thursday morning. A surprised Maunder was thrilled with the prize and the opportunity to embark on further travels with his wife and infant daughter, Lucy. The winning image was taken while holidaying in Bali with friends and family.

The finalists and grand prize winner were selected by a judging panel including representatives from Canon, House of Travel and creative industries. “The quality of the images submitted were of a very high level. They showcased not only technical ability, but with all outstanding travel photos, reflected the colours of the landscape and told a story of the place visited," quoted a spokesperson from Canon New Zealand.

There were also four category winners that were publicly voted from 5 finalists in each category, to win $5000 of Air Travel from Qantas, and a Canon Powershot SX40 HS Digital Still Camera.

Best Friends and Family Photo, entitled “The best way to see Venice Beach, California” was won by Mount Maunganui resident Hamish Mathieson. The photo was taken on a recent trip to Los Angeles where a tandem bike was hired for a scenic excursion along the bike path.

Best Intrepid Photo, entitled “Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia” was taken by Joshua Donnelly during a nerve-ridden ride in a hot air balloon in Turkey.

Best Scenic Shot, entitled “Pohutu Geyser, Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, Rotorua, New Zealand” was taken by Auckland War Memorial Museum employee Krzysztof Pfeiffer, who patiently waited for some time to capture the geyser in motion.

The Best Use of Colour in a Photo category was won by Wellington student Gemma Chapman, whose photo entitled “Stand up paddle boarding at Tahuna Beach in Nelson, New Zealand” was taken with an underwater camera.

The entries, finalists and winners can still be viewed by visiting the House of Travel Facebook App at www.facebook.com/houseoftravelnz .

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