The Sustainability Photo Competition is an annual competition, open to all students and staff, that tells a story about how the University is protecting both the environment and human wellbeing.
The 2025 competition brief invited photo submissions that capture the essence of manaakitanga (being welcoming) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) in action—shown by our students and staff as they actively learn, teach, research, and engage across campus and the community.
Associate Professor, Dr Paul Wolffram, Film Programme Director and one of the judges for the competition says, “it’s fantastic to see so many creative takes on the theme in this year’s entries. The strongest photos for the judges were those depicting people engaged with whaka manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga. The winners depict people in enacting these values, the photographs draw the eye and tell a story.”
"This year's competition theme of manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga, inspired by our new, sustainable Ngā Mokopuna building, brought out some amazingly creative and thoughtful photographs,” says Associate Professor Meegan Hall, Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Matauranga Maori, who was also on the judging panel.
The images from this year’s Sustainability Photo Competition aren’t just celebrated with this competition, but also shared by the University in various marketing and promotional materials to inspire our community and showcase the importance of environmental action.
First place
‘Wā Kai: The Serving Window’, by Maddy Roberts, photo number 79.
“Wā Kai captures Tina and Santana in the kitchen as they prepare lunches to be served to students and staff at Ngā Mokopuna,” writes Maddy. “We gather with the purpose of connection and nourishment, sustaining the mauri of our people and place.”
Second place
‘Green Future’, by Lucy Moore, photo number 4.
“Captured while volunteering for Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust, this photo reflects the University's values of manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga,” writes Lucy. “Native trees were planted to restore the whenua, with each species purposefully tied to a Matariki star and reserved for future use. Being a Kāi Tahu descendant, this hands-on mahi was very meaningful. It informed my Master of Architecture research into how culturally anchored design can reconnect people to their ancestral whenua, combining restoration with a vision for the future, ‘Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei’ (For us and our children after us).”
Third place
‘Meeting the Locals’, by Cameron Dickson, photo number 17.
“We’re all responsible for protecting what we hold dear, for speaking up for what can’t, and for preserving that which we would destroy,” writes Cameron. “To truly help, we need to form connections, finding a love for what’s around us that can go on to motivate our actions and drive our ideals. But, maybe that’s easier said than done? Nah... just go out and meet the locals! As soon as you realise who’s out there, it’s easy to feel the need to protect Te Taiao. And hey, maybe you’ll make a friend along the way!”
People’s Choice Winner
‘Hurihia tō mata ki te rā—Turn your face to the sun’, by Angelicia Anthony Thane, photo number 15.
"Presented in black and white, I captured this quiet moment of discovery in Ngā Mokopuna”, writes Angelicia.
“My favourite moment: just watching the sunlight filtering through the rooftop, visible only when you look up while climbing the stairs. The contrast of light and shadow reminds me of the whakataukī, ‘Hurihia tō mata ki te rā, kia taka te ātārangi ki muri i a koe’ (Turn your face to the sun, and the shadows fall behind you).’ This serene space embodies the University’s commitment to sustainability, inviting reflection, hope, and a shared responsibility for our future.”