Gannet Rock Muriwai

Few places in New Zealand offer such an intimate encounter with wild nature as Gannet Rock at Muriwai. Perched dramatically above the iron-sand beach on Auckland's rugged west coast, this ancient volcanic outcrop is home to one of the most accessible Australasian gannet colonies in the world — and one of the most spectacular.

This collection captures the full rhythm of life at the colony across the seasons: the aerial grace of gannets riding Tasman Sea thermals with barely a wingbeat, the tender chaos of chick-feeding among densely packed nests, the silent beauty of a bird in solitary rest, and the electric intimacy of courtship — two birds pressing neck to neck in a ritual older than memory.

Beyond the colony itself, the portfolio draws in the wider landscape — the burnished gold cliffs of Māori Bay falling to crashing surf, a flax-framed sunset bleeding copper across the Tasman, and quiet moments of human connection with the shore.

Whether you are drawn to the drama of birds in flight, the warmth of colony life up close, or the sweeping moods of the west coast landscape, this collection offers something rare: wildlife photography that feels both wild and deeply personal.

All images are available as fine art prints. Please visit the Shop to explore sizing and print options.