Hidden lakes

Ice on lakeside grass on a frosty morning at Lake Rotopounamu, in Tongariro National Park

Log extends a finger into the mirror calm of Rotopounamu

View through a log at Rotoponamau

Winter's morning at Opotaka, a former kainga on the shores of Lake Rotoaira

Waterfowl on the fog-shrouded waters of Rotoaira

Nature's infinity pool: Arethusa Pool in Mou Waho island, Lake Wanaka

The surface of Arethusa Pool is 150 metres above that of Lake Wanaka

Buff weka have been introduced to Mou Waho

Picnickers enjoy the solitude of Tinawhu, one of the two Kaihoka lakes of Golden Bay

Nikau frames raupo and forest on the shores of Tinawhu

The Kaihoka lakes are known for large freshwater mussels

The western shoreline of Golden Bay is a dramatic, secluded coast

Statuesque rock formations are a featured of the western shores of Golden Bay

Eroded conglomerate rock stacks make impressive shapes on the shoreline near Kaihoka lakes.

At a micro level, wind-sorted sand grains create delicate beach patterns

Dominant westerly winds have forced vegetation to assume the habit of green carpets covering the rocks

Gnarled trunk leads to a scalloped canopy in this coastal plant, plastered against a rock stack.

Gentleness on a high-energy coast: water drips into a pool with the Tasman breakers beyond