A Dutch photographer who spent 2025 in New Zealand capturing its natural beauty has launched an exhibition of her favourite photos - with all sale proceeds going back to the local community.

Sterre Heijnen’s exhibition, ‘Breathe Aotearoa’, is open for viewing at the Wānaka Recreation Centre as part of the Creative Spaces Project.

“Working as a travel photographer, I’ve spent the past year exploring New Zealand - going on countless beautiful hikes, discovering incredible places, and taking pictures along the way,” Sterre told the Wānaka App.

“I wanted to do something meaningful with all the photos I’d taken, and creating an exhibition felt like the perfect way to share that experience. New Zealand’s nature and wildlife is so unique compared to the rest of the world, so I wanted to highlight just how special it is.”

Five of the 11 photographs in the exhibition were taken around Wānaka. One of Sterre’s favourite photographs is ‘Summit Kea’, which she took at Treble Cone.

“It was an extremely windy day but the views were gorgeous as always and just as I made it to the top a Kea flew over and landed right next to me,” she said. “The Kea kept flying around me and playing in the snow so I got out my camera and that’s when I captured the shot of the Kea taking off with the mountains in the background. 

“It was such a magical moment being all alone at the TC summit looking out over Lake Wānaka with such a beautiful and special bird flying around me.”

Proceeds from all sales of Breathe Aotearoa photographs will go to the Love Wānaka Community Fund, which supports climate, conservation, and biodiversity projects in the district.

“Over time, I’ve really fallen in love with Wānaka - its incredible landscapes and the sense of community that helps protect them - and I wanted to contribute to preserving the nature and supporting the people who care for it.”

Visit the Breathe Aotearoa exhibition at the Wānaka Recreation Centre now or contact Sterre directly for sales here.

Read more: Creative spaces project to create district-wide gallery.

PHOTO: Supplied