Winter in Gisborne is a time of year characterised by large long period swells, often arriving on the back of bitey cold snaps generated from afar. When the offshores kick in they tend to hang around all day. It's a sought after season especially for the surfers that live to chase that energy. This year, from the end of June all the way through July the region experienced a golden run of back to back 6 foot days - sometimes lasting an entire week. The swell direction was predominantly from the East, at times broken up with a combination South swell of equal size. Safe to say this brought the local beaches to life. I took the opportunity to head out and have some fun with my camera, shooting a few angles I normally wouldn't or had been thinking about for a while - avoiding the full frame front on view as much as possible. This selection of photos was captured over a number of days, a couple of hours here and there - generally while the morning light was blazing. A snapshot of the Gisborne winter - please enjoy. DM

Waking up to the rumble of a powerful groomed swell in the township of Okitu can’t be a bad way to start the day.

A freight train right-hander steams it’s way down the beach during one of the multiple July pulses from the East - framed up by the iconic Pines.

When Wainui is on there are take-off zones the size of a large sports stadium // Four surfers watch on as this one peels away unridden.

That first lick of light brightens up the landscape with a stiff offshore on the scene.

Golden hour at Wainui beach with swell pouring in - it’s a mystical sight.

Jacob Kohn threads the needle of a pines bomb as the entire carpark watches on.

Morning glory - Wainui beach.

Blair Stewart picked his landmarks and seemed to be in sync with the stretch of sand he chose to sit on, nabbing a number of classic waves in the space of a couple of hours.

Joel Pollock and one of the last waves he rode with this board fully intact.

Brent Rasby clocked up some good ocean time in the month of July. In the scheme of things this would probably be one of the smaller, tamer waves he rode over that time.

Split peaks at the centre of the beach. The left hander might be considered breaking at Wainui - while the right hander peels off into Okitu territory.

From where you’d rather live.

Ben Galbraith takes off on a medium sized gem while his shaper Tommy Dalton looks on from the shoulder.

The chalky cliffs of Tuaheni Point darkened by overnight rain.

Wainui Beach, July 2023.

Magic moments out East.

Unknown - threading the needle.

Guy Burns at the bottom of a nice left-hander at Pines.

Blair again - he did this all morning.

It’s 7:53am - you pull up and see this.. Do you go to work or get to work?

Unknown charger navigating the morning session.

Empty peaks unloading with a Southerly front looming out at sea.

Happy campers sharing the goodness.

Another bomb evades the crowd.

A would-be closeout twists and warps itself into something worth the paddle.

Early morning sun lighting up the foam ball deep inside the barrel. If you’ve seen this from the inside looking out you probably didn’t see much.

Elusive Okitu postcard shots.

Thanks for enjoying!
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Sunday 26th March 2023. I’m up early with the knowledge of Autumn swell at the local beaches and the glimpse of a glowing sky. Arriving at the Red Bus carpark the waves are pulsing as the first crew show up. Straight off the bat I’m treated to one of the best sunrises I’ve ever managed to capture at this spot - it’s going to be a good day.

An absolute cracker of a sunrise at Makorori Beach - 26/03/23

part art, part luck & mostly hierarchy - the carpark hustle is top of the mornings priorities, especially for those that have done their time. If you’re parked too far to the North this may delay the act of surfing until vehicle order is restored. Oftentimes it’s a game of metres - sometimes involving bribes. An iconic crew of legends such as John Gisby, Teddy Colbert and Benny Hutchings frequent this stretch, completely dedicated to their daily quota of carpark banter & set wave shredding.

The subtleties of the carpark shuffle - Gisby and Teddy

First out @ first light

40 minutes before sun up.

As the masses simultaneously reach for their wetsuits the entire place lights up. Long walled peaks are seen along the beach - a sign of combo swells predominantly from the East. the tide is getting full but those that know have their plans. It’s a warm Autumn morning that would pass as Summer.

The type of scene that people live here for - Makorori Beach

After an hour or so of shooting I packed up and found a wave for myself a few KM’s down the way. Everybody had the same idea but there were waves to be had at most spots. bring on the rest of Autumn - its the best time of year. Hope you all got in! // DM.

Autumn Blaze // The newest addition the the print store!

Autumn Blaze is the newest addition to the print store - take a look here

Earlier in the year I had the opportunity to stay at The Hinterland retreat, a boutique accomodation joint nestled in the hills overlooking Wainui beach. My stay there lined up perfectly with the June full moon, building swell, strong winds and and clear skies. With virtual 360 degree views & two nights to capture the spectacle - I grabbed my long lens and parked up for a mid week getaway.

On the first night the moon emerged from the ocean around 30 minutes before sunset - straight out to the east. A touch early for a horizon level shot - I waited for it to rise high enough to become clear & defined. It all worked out pretty nicely in the end with a full spectrum of blues, greens & violets. I find when these events occur as close to sunset as possible they hit the sweet spot with enough light to capture the landscape combined with vibrant colours all round. Too early and the moon is milky and invisible - 40 minutes later and the landscape turns black. Having a crack at the same scene two nights in a row was a luxury.

Waking up with fresh swell having built throughout the night I shot a few lineups just a stones throw from where i’d slept - coffee in hand. All of these images were taken over a 48 hour period within a 30 metre radius of each other. Just another epic winters day in Gisborne.

Morning balcony views from Hinterland Retreat

The full moon always seems to bring in the swell.

The second evening rolled around and it was showtime. with a blazing full moon rising as the sheep just kept on grazing - This was probably my favourite image from the outing. it was captured in near darkness as the moon appeared a half hour after sunset, a bit on the late side depending on what you’re after. The image is a composite - 6 individual shots merged together with a double exposed moon . It seemed like the right way to capture it at the time - unplanned and in the moment. a completely different look and feel from the night before, it was pretty cool to get up there and experience.

Blues and greens - prints available here.

And That’s a wrap - hopefully you enjoyed the perspective! I’ve added a few images from this stay to the print store - Go check them out here!

Gisborne, the land where starry skies meet trademark sunrises. It's mid winter, there's plenty of swell and the vibe is peaceful. I have the pleasure of trying out the Canon R5 for a couple of weeks - it sure gets me motivated to go shoot. Here's a little snapshot of the spaces and faces I found out East.

When swell marches into Wainui it's among the best beach breaks on the planet

I'm up at dawn most days chasing the light. The July Sun sits North East in the sky and my toes are freezing. I nip around at the water's edge working compositions with the dawn brigade - a die hard crew made up of keen surfers & cold water enthusiasts. An all star congregation of past and present surfing champions and world class surf photographers - it's an established scene. Blink and you’ll miss it, they’re out there in a flash. The ocean's edge is all energy and it’s job done before breakfast.

More talent than you can shake a stick at. Johnny Hicks, Bobby Hansen, Shaun Tunny and Ricardo Christie on the Saturday morning shuffle.

Not bad, not good - out there!

Shaun Tunny is one of the best surf photographers in NZ. Go follow him HERE

Gale force winds ripping around the headland.

Ricardo Christie, straight from F45 and into the surf.

Storm fronts rolling through idyllic landscapes - nature deals a different hand each day. Most of the time I'm shooting with an 85mm F2 lens - it’s a challenge to adapt to each scene. I also had the Canon RF 800mm F11 - an unreal option to mix things up for those distant shots.

Makorori Headland on a very glassy morning.

Somewhere has gotta be firing?

It didn’t take Maz Quinn long to paddle out after seeing this one.

Lone ranger in dream land.

Ever heard of the Wim Hoff method? This guy has.

85mm Milky Way Core - stacked. Stay tuned for Giant Pano!

In the winter months Makorori headland is my local vista of choice. With ease of access and iconic views, it's a spot that delivers at all times of day. After a couple of blazing sunrises here I returned one night to shoot the stars. The lookout sits right on the cusp of a dark sky zone - give or take the occasional logging ship spilling light on the horizon. Literally a 7 minute drive from Gisborne city it's another reminder of our abundant natural playground.

National Womens Surfing Champ Saffi Vette - always smiling!

Swell always pulses into the region throughout July, mainly from the South but also from the East. Colder than the Mount but warmer than Wellington, the ocean temp sits at around 14 degrees and is dropping by the week. The morning sun here is as bright as anything, and the aloe vera flowers hold on by a thread. Winter in Gisborne is a pretty sweet deal, even if it looks warmer than it actually is.

A ferocious cold snap hit’s Wainui Beach - this brought snow.

You wouldn’t know it but Blair Stewart is locked into that right..

That’s a quick look into the energy, character and variety of my favourite corner of the world. Thanks for tuning in! Keep safe out there, summer’s coming!! // DM

Big thanks to canon NZ for the camera gear!

Te Araroa would have to be one of my favourite parts of the country. Located along the North Island’s Eastern Most point, the place has a unique raw feel to it truly like no other. It was late November with THINGS already starting to feel like summer, so what better way to celebrate than to hit the road and camp out for a few nights. The trip began with a drive straight to Te Araroa from Gisborne along the iconic highway 35’, arriving right on dusk.

Sight seeing along the iconic Highway 35

After a couple of quick sunset stops it was time to head to the Te Araroa Holiday Park to unwind. The setup for the night saw my trusty roof top tent placed beneath a flowering Pohutakawa tree, sleeping to the sounds of Morepork and Tui. Waking to a warm Spring morning, first on the agenda was to take the short walk over the farmland to the nearby beach. A lush subtropical paradise, this place is an absolute treasure of the Cape! With draped Pohutakawas over a rocky ridge, the beach has a tropical feel a lot like the Coromandel. Enjoying this beach for a couple of hours without a soul in sight was the perfect start to the trip.

Just a 5 minute walk from the Te Araroa Holiday Park you will find this place

Next stop was the East Cape Manuka Cafe - just a short drive from the campground. The place is impressive with friendly service, good coffee and a great menu! With quality Manuka boutique products from honey to health tonics &everything in between - it's well worth a look.

After an hour or so relaxing on garden bean bags, the wind was getting up so I knew just the spot to shelter. A little past Hicks Bay it was time to park up roadside and take a short walk through the paddocks to the Waihirere falls. A true hidden gem, the falls give way to a perfect little swimming hole surrounded by mossy rock walls. Another epic spot with no one else around.

Hidden waterfalls - seek and you shall find..

Late afternoon involved taking the drive around the East Cape road towards the lighthouse for a bit of sightseeing and roadside snack stops. This place has got to be one of my favourite corners of NZ, with a rugged gravel road that gives way to an isolated beach surrounded by mini mountains. With cattle and wild horses scattered along the edge of the beach this place really is something else.

The East Cape Road - truly iconic

The distinguishing feature at this time of year was a sea of yellow lupins - everywhere. I couldn't help but get out & take a bunch of shots - it was a sight to behold. It turned out that the iconic gravel road was eventually tar sealed just a few weeks later. I'm feeling pretty lucky to have captured these shots of the road in its raw state one last time.

Yellow flowers all over the place

Day two started with a coffee fix from the new favourite cafe, followed by a short drive to check out Hicks Bay wharf. The weather was warm but moody, with the water inviting enough for a swim. As a tropical storm brewed offshore, The sunny skies overhead quickly transformed into wild cloud formations. The water was fresh. to complete the scene there was a local quietly drinking steinlagers in his ute while playing one of the best 70's playlists I've ever heard. Vibes!

NZ - a true subtropical paradise

After an easy day and a quick drive-by of Horseshoe Bay it was time for the next phase of the trip. The plan was to climb the East Cape lighthouse for the following morning's sunrise. Logistically, it was best to stay at the East Cape Campground which is the closest place to wake up. A beautiful green field that connects to the sand, it’s quite a place to set up camp. There was just one minor problem. Winds were blowing close to gale with the full campground exposed to the brunt of it. It'll be sweet - up went the tent! After a quick scare where the tent almost got blown off the roof, the home for the night was set. So far the trip had seen almost everything from sunshine, a storm, beaches and waterfalls. What followed was a poetic manifestation, the most vibrant and striking rainbow I'd ever seen! It lasted for half an hour and shone brightly - an unforgettable natural spectacle.

A striking sight from the East Cape Campground

Being pretty charged up after the light-show, it was time for an early night in the crows nest with a 4:30am alarm set. Lets just say there wasn't much quality sleep with the wind blasting at the tent through the night. Up before the alarm AND at the foot of the lighthouse right on time, it was a relief to see the sky had blown clear.

The first sunrise to see the new day - The East Cape Lighthouse & East Island

After scaling the 800 stairs - the sun rising behind Whangaokeno / East Island with the large lighthouse directly overhead was a warm & welcome sight. The landscape here is majestic; green fields lie amidst mountainous terrain with that unmistakable East Coast signature of pale eroding cliffs. What made this morning particularly special was a complete lack of other tourists Around - the place was peacefully empty. Being November, things were noticeably quiet the entire trip with just a few intrepid folk scattered throughout the campgrounds - clearly an effect of Covid with the lack of internationals.

Just a short 800 steps to make it up in time

I later had the fortune of meeting a couple that own the farm at the foot of the lighthouse there. The family has been there for over 100 years. I asked them their take on how the locals view the tourist situation - the answer was of mixed emotions. They told me they are happy when the tourists are respectful in how they drive, the way they treat the land and when they clean up after themselves. But they also told me a story of campervans crashing into their fence on two separate occasions and driving off without so much as an apology or explanation. As with any travel - if you happen to visit these lands always treat the place with respect. It pays to be mindful that there are people here that call this amazing place their home.

Lush lands

To wrap, for me this was the ideal trip. It's a treat to travel around our fine lands and get to experience these places largely free from the hustle and bustle that we aim to leave behind. It's something to never be taken for granted though - take only photographs, leave only footprints. Until next time..

Words & images by Damon Meade

Please take a Peek at my online print store here

Greetings! My name is Damon Meade - I’m a landscape photographer, film maker and timelapse artist from gisborne, NZ. Born and raised here, I have long been drawn to the rugged beauty of the surrounding landscapes along this stretch of coast.

This website has been a long time in the making and is a vehicle for me to continually explore my landscape photography, timelapse video and other motivated visual snippets - while offering a selection of printed images for your walls. I love the idea of ink on paper, and seeing it come to life on peoples walls is truly rewarding. I have worked hard to use the best suppliers Nationwide to deliver a high quality product - while at the same time striking a balance between affordability and sustainability. Thank you for taking a look!

I recently caught up with the lovely Sarah from Gizzy Local and she wrote up this epic little piece about me and my work. If you'd like a little more insight into what I do then please check out this article here :)

https://gizzylocal.com/posts/damon-meade-scene-report-from-the-eastern-fringes