Wellington-based photographer Nick Netzler will return to Wānaka later this month to share an exhibition he has created following an eye-opening experience with WAI Wānaka.

Nick travelled to Wānaka earlier this year as part of Creative NZ’s Pacific Arts Nature Residencies, where Pasifika photographers capture the stories of New Zealand’s rural communities, and he says he was struck by Wānaka landscape and how the community looked after the land and its resources.

“This was a whole new experience for me. As someone from urban Wellington, spending time with WAI Wānaka and their community really opened my eyes,” Nick said.

“I was surprised by how familiar it felt, like working with whānau. The way we came together and valued the environment felt very natural for me from a Pasifika worldview.”

Nick’s residency was one of two in the 2025 pilot, and WAI Wānaka partnerships lead Michaela Blacklock said the organisation was thrilled to be involved with the debut.

“This has been a fantastic initiative and opportunity for WAI Wānaka,” she said. “To have Nick spend time with the team, in action, seeing and learning what we do and documenting it visually, is exciting.”

Nick said the experience was “a big learning curve seeing how hands-on and practical the work is to keep the waterways healthy and flowing”.

“I was in awe of the beautiful Wānaka landscape and the community’s efforts to protect it.”

Nick will be back in Wānaka on Thursday June 19 to present a digital photography exhibition and give an artist talk about what he learnt during his time with WAI Wānaka.

The event will take place at the Wānaka Community Hub from 6.30pm.

Light refreshments will be provided before Nick’s presentation, WAI Wānaka said.

It’s free to attend but attendees are asked to RSVP - by emailing [email protected] - to keep track of numbers.

PHOTO: Nick Netzler