Go Wild With Summer Fun In Hamilton Kirikiriroa

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Finding fun this summer has never been easier thanks to a
collaborative activity guide and website produced by three
of Hamilton’s best-loved visitor destinations, Hamilton
Gardens, Hamilton Zoo and Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga O
Waikato.

Parents and caregivers will be able to take
their pick of activities ranging from face painting and
scavenger hunts to wildlife-themed events at all three
venues.

Hamilton City Council’s Unit Director
Visitor Destinations Lee-Ann Jordan said that the
collaborative approach reflects Council’s vision to make
Hamilton a more attractive, safe and liveable
city.

“Our destinations are all looking forward to
welcoming visitors and their whaanau this summer and showing
them a great time,” she
said.

“It’s a wonderful time
of year for both locals and out-of-town visitors to make the
most of what our public facilities offer, from spotting
animals at the Zoo or exploring the enclosed gardens at
Hamilton Gardens, to being enthralled by world-class
exhibitions at the
Museum.”

The New Zealand
premiere of Wildlife Photographer of the Year at Waikato
Museum has provided inspiration for a wild streak in the
activity guide. On tour from the Natural History Museum,
London, it is the first time Hamilton has been host to this
internationally renowned exhibition of award-winning nature
photography.

Alongside the 100 stunning photographs on
display in the exhibition, family-friendly activities have
been developed such as a hands-on photography workshop and a
free ‘ABC Trail’ worksheet for young
visitors.

Hamilton Zoo carries on the theme, with an
exciting series of events ranging from live music and living
statues, to a storytime session hosted by ‘safari
explorers’. At Hamilton Gardens, visitors will be
surprised and delighted by pop-up classical music
performances and quirky characters roaming in the enclosed
gardens.

The ‘Find Your Summer Fun’ schedule also
features events held in conjunction with Hamilton City
Libraries, Science in a Van, and a focus on celebrating the
Lunar New Year with the arrival of the Year of the
Rabbit.

The activity guide is available as a printed
schedule, a downloadable PDF document, or as an interactive
calendar on the new website: www.findyourfun.nz.
Information will also be shared on the destinations’
social media channels.

The fun kicks off at Hamilton
Gardens, Hamilton Zoo and Waikato Museum on Monday 9 January
and runs every day until Monday 30 January (the Auckland
Anniversary Day public holiday).

© Scoop Media



 

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Hamilton Premiere Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Exhibition

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The
right look © Richard Robinson, Wildlife Photographer of the
Year. Shot under New Zealand Department of Conservation
permit #84845-MAR.

An award-winning
New Zealand photographer is the guest of honour for the
opening of theworld-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the
Year exhibition at Hamilton’s Waikato Museum Te Whare
Taonga o Waikato.

On tour from the Natural History
Museum in London,Wildlife Photographer of the Year will
open on Friday 9 December and marks the first time Hamilton
has been home to this exhibition of the world’s most
exceptional nature
photography.

“Wildlife Photographer of
the Yearis the most prestigious photography award of its
kind, and the competition has provided a global platform to
showcase the best of photography talent formore than55
years,” said Liz Cotton, Director of Museum and Arts,
Waikato Museum.

“It’s an honour to be
the first New Zealand hosts for this year’s exhibition,
particularly as the award-winners include stunning images by
New Zealander photographer Richard Robinson, highlighting
the work being done to protect our population of tohoraa
[southern right whales].”

“We look forward to
welcoming visitors from around the country to Waikato Museum
to see these incredible images over the summer, including
those with a passion for photography, the environment, and
our natural world.”

Speaking from London, the
Director of the Natural History Museum, Doug Gurr,
said:

“We are thrilled to see our prestigious
Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition reaching
audiences in this part of New Zealand for the first time.
What could be more fitting than the setting of the Waikato
Museum, on the banks of the biodiverse Waikato River? We
hope every visitor leaves the exhibition feeling inspired to
protect and celebrate the natural world.”

Launched
in 1965, todaythe annual Wildlife Photographer of the
Year competition receives entries frommore than 90
different countries,highlighting its enduring appeal.
This year’s award-winning images are on an international
tour thatwill allowthem to be seen bymillions of
people all over the world, including here in
Hamilton.

An international panel of industry
experts selected underwater photojournalist Richard
Robertson as the winner of the category, Oceans – The Bigger
Picture. His award-winning image ‘New life for the
tohorā’
captures a hopeful moment for a population of
New Zealand native whales that has survived against all
odds. Another of his photographs, ‘The right
look’
was also Highly Commended in the Animal
Portraits category.

Another New Zealand photographer
was also recognised by the judging panel, with D’Artagnan
Sprengel’s photograph ‘Frost daisy’ receiving a
Highly Commended award in the 11-14 Years Old category for
Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

Winner of the
Grand Title award was ‘The big buzz’ by Karine
Aigner, shot with a macro lens to show the frenzy of Texan
cactus bees competing to mate. This captivating image, and
all other prize winners, will be among the 100 photographs
on display at Waikato Museum until 23 April
2023.

© Scoop Media







 

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