Driven by an intrepid spirit and with propulsion from an all-wheel drive Subaru, de Meijer set out to document the raw and pristine landscapes of Aotearoa (New Zealand) in 2018.
White Island, December 2018. White Island’s beauty, veiled in smoke, captured on a momentous day—the birthday revelation of impending parenthood. Little did we anticipate the volcano’s poignant reminder of nature’s dualities, a stark contrast to the joyous occasion.Navigating the precarious single-lane gravel track of Mount Olympus, a contender for the southern hemisphere’s most dangerous ski-resort access road, reveals a local treasureWithin the confines of the Goblin Forest, trees adopt a formal choreography. Interlacing branches form an intricate tapestry, presenting a stoic tableau that invites observers to appreciate the structured elegance of nature.A flock of sheep gracefully populates the expansive mountain valley, creating a charming visual mosaicVenturing into the heart of Waikaremoana, where gravel roads wind through mountain passes, disconnecting us from the outside world. A lone white horse gracefully traverses the road, embodying the untamed spirit of this remote sanctuary.Dominating Arthur’s Pass National Park with a 131m descent, this powerful waterfall commands attention. Nature’s force on full display The mountains of Arthurs Pass, crowned in snow, break through the drifting clouds, catching the subtle illumination of gentle sunlight.As dawn breaks, silhouetted mountains emerge, casting a serene reflection on the tranquil sea. Nature’s canvas reveals the untouched beauty of Doubtful Sound in the early lightArthur’s Pass comes alive in the embrace of spring, revealing a panorama of mountains, meadows and a gently meandering creek.A lone tree cloaked in mist, a serene snapshot of the tranquil ambience within Waikaremoana Forest. Nature’s quiet elegance on display.Delicate and unfurled, the silver fern leaf paints a poetic portrait of New Zealand’s botanical beauty.
