Any excuse to go to Gisborne is a good excuse. Gizzy holds a strong allure for me. I used to spend a lot of time shooting in Poverty Bay when I was at the surfing magazine. Good friends, good waves, fun adventures and great memories.
The big sky nights of Tatapouri Motorcamp
There is no better Gizzy mate than my old partner in crime Chris 'Budge' Berge. In 1993 we both started work at the magazine. He was the editor and I was the ad man/photographer. The three year partnership defined how the magazine looked for the next 15 years.
Budge runs the Tatapouri Motorcamp, with unabashed bias, the best motorcamp in Gizzy. Set on the northern slope Tatapouri Headland the manicured grounds provide a protected suntrap. And big star skies, just far enough away from Gisborne city.
Makarori at first light
Wainui in fine form
I'm on a new mission, I have a new book project. Everything fell into place to start the new project in Gizzy. I like that by starting something new it has taken me back to a well trodden haunting ground. To approach familiar subjects with fresh eyes.
Gizzy turned on the weather and the surf. A nice south swell was running and the day time highs soared into the mid twenties. Blue bird days.
Infamous Stockroute offering up the goods
A perfect morning lit Wainui peak
Is it fair to say it was a good week to be in Gizzy?
Makarori last light
Dawn day two, smaller, but still a day filled with waves
Into the blue and green swirls of Chalets
Worth a 7 hour drive? Always
Happy place
Selfie at the Mount homeward bound
This Time A Year Ago
This time a year ago Warren Hawke and I were on an epic South Island roady. We had decided to launch his book, NZ Surf- Captured By A Surf Lens, old school with a series of book launches at key Boardriders' Clubs. It worked, the book received the grass roots support Warren wanted.
Man, it was an exciting and strenuous three weeks of being on the road; maxing out the load driving south and working to make sure the drive home would be lighter. Wouldn't do it any other way!