PETE MONK

With a heightened sense of awareness, a photographer provides a different perspective on some of natures’ nuances. Where some people might only see the ordinary, a photographer finds the extraordinary, capturing a moment of absolute beauty that would otherwise pass by without notice.

One such instance for Pete Monk was about 15 years ago when he was driving along Western Lake Road, returning from a family outing down at Ocean Beach.

“We stopped at a spot and the light was perfect, the lake was perfect, the cloud was perfect, the swans that were just further out on the lake and their wakes were absolutely perfect,” Pete recalls.

While the photos he takes are magical and have been published in books and promotional material that is still used today, it is the “moment” that has Pete so dazzled by Wairarapa Moana.

“I can go there at opposite ends of the weather’s mood. Go there in the pre-dawn in an absolutely tranquil setting and just watch a day unfold magically, unengaged with everybody’s other business, and that happens every day and no two of them are the same.

“At the opposite end I can see nature’s full force, how weather can whip up and you are standing back and respecting what the weather has to throw at you.

“It is a pleasure to be able to witness just that enduring beauty and nature that goes on every day.”

Previously a resident in Wellington, Pete has lived in Featherston for 20 years, these days spending much of his working week in Martinborough where he is the business manager at Ata Rangi Vineyard.

If wine is the pleasure of his palate, then nature and conservation is that of his soul. He works, either directly or tangentially, with several conservation groups around the region. Sometimes that involves getting his hands dirty, but mostly he’s documenting conservation efforts.

The growing number of passionate people actively getting involved in conservation is “super encouraging”, and gives a sense that collectively we are heading in the right direction.

“There are lots of conservation efforts happening, not just in Wairarapa Moana, but all around the region, that are helping turnaround otherwise dire projections for native flora and fauna, and that’s encouraging.”

Among his favourite spots are, “The Domain” and the Western Lake area, each for distinctly different reasons. There has been a noticeable increase in the number of people using the Domain area, be it for camping or recreation, he says.

“That’s really grown and it’s tremendously exciting in terms of what nature should be doing, and this is supporting connections with people.”

The Western Lake area, on the other hand, he holds dear because of its isolation and the opportunity to feel truly connected with nature.

“There is absolutely nothing better than wading out at dawn, whacking a tripod in reeds and mud, listening to the quiet lapping of the waves on the lake and photographing the dawn awakening . . . brilliant.”

Pete took most of the photos that appear on this website. Find out more about Pete…