A Memorable Journey Through New Zealand’s North Island With Hasselblad Xpan II

A Memorable Journey Through New Zealand's North Island With Hasselblad Xpan II

Diary

A Memorable Journey Through New Zealand’s North Island With Hasselblad Xpan II

New-Zealand-trip-2022-north-island-Hasselblad-Xpan-II-2-panoramic-panorama-pano-film-135-negative-analogue-cafe-auckland-city-45mm-f4-kodak-vision-3-5207-250D-ecn-2-devonport-signal-hill-scenic
Hasselblad Xpan II, 45mm f4, Kodak 250D Vision 3, Devonport New Zealand

New Zealand has always been a dream destination of mine, and I am thrilled to share with you the highlights of my recent trip to the North Island. From the bustling city of Auckland to the captivating Waitomo Caves, this adventure was packed full of unforgettable experiences.

Auckland: Oysters, Hikes, and City Views

Our journey began in Auckland, where we indulged in the freshest oysters at Davenport. To reach this charming seaside suburb, we took a scenic ferry ride from the city centre. Before our gastronomic treat, we hiked to Signal Hill, where we were rewarded with stunning views of the Auckland skyline. I captured the striking cityscape with my Makina 67 and Hasselblad Xpan II cameras.

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Hasselblad Xpan II, 45mm f4, Kodak 250D Vision 3, Devonport New Zealand
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Hasselblad Xpan II, 45mm f4, Kodak 250D Vision 3, Mission Bay New Zealand
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Hasselblad Xpan II, 45mm f4, Kodak 250D Vision 3, Mount Eden New Zealand

Waitomo Caves: An Underground Wonderland

Next, we ventured to the Waitomo Caves, home to the largest glow worm population in the Southern Hemisphere. The mesmerising glow worm displays were an unforgettable sight, and I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the natural world.

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Hasselblad Xpan II, 45mm f4, Kodak 250D Vision 3, Auckland New Zealand
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Hasselblad Xpan II, 45mm f4, Kodak 250D Vision 3, Auckland New Zealand

Cambridge & Hobbiton: A Step into Middle Earth

Our trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the famous Hobbiton movie set in Cambridge. The guided tour was phenomenal, providing us with fascinating insights into how the iconic scenes from The Lord Of the Rings and The Hobbit were brought to life.

New-Zealand-trip-2022-north-island-Hasselblad-Xpan-II-2-panoramic-panorama-pano-film-135-negative-analogue-cafe-lord-of-the-ring-hobbit-hobbiton-cambridge-45mm-f4-kodak-vision-3-5207-250D-ecn-2
Hasselblad Xpan II, 45mm f4, Kodak 250D Vision 3, Hobbiton New Zealand

Rotorua, Taupo, and a Shaky Encounter

During our stay in Rotorua and Taupo, we encountered an unexpected challenge: I got diarrhoea after drinking tap water, a mistake I had previously made in Singapore. Despite this setback, we enjoyed our time in both cities. However, our adventures took a dramatic turn when we experienced a 4.7 magnitude earthquake in Taupo. Thankfully, we were unharmed, but the event left a lasting impression.

New-Zealand-trip-2022-north-island-Hasselblad-Xpan-II-2-panoramic-panorama-pano-film-135-negative-analogue-thermal park-30mm-f5.6-5.6-asph-kodak-tri-x 400-rodinal-1+50
Hasselblad Xpan II, 30mm f5.6 ASPH, Kodak Tri-X, Rodinal 1+50, Taupo New Zealand
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Hasselblad Xpan II, 30mm f5.6 ASPH, Kodak Tri-X, Rodinal 1+50, Taupo New Zealand
New-Zealand-trip-2022-north-island-Hasselblad-Xpan-II-2-panoramic-panorama-pano-film-135-negative-analogue-rvp100-velvia-100-fujichrome-fujifilm-Taupo-cloud-weather
Hasselblad Xpan II, 45mm f4, Velvia 100, Taupo New Zealand

Wellington: Culinary Delights and Coffee Culture

Our North Island journey concluded in Wellington, where we savoured delicious dishes at High Water Eatery and sipped expertly crafted coffee at Pour and Twist. The city’s thriving food and coffee scene left a lasting impression on our taste buds.

While I didn’t shoot as many rolls of film as I would have liked, I am eager to share my panoramic shots from the stunning South Island in an upcoming post. Stay tuned for more breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences from our New Zealand adventure!

All photos are shot with my Hasselblad Xpan II. For film choice, I have used Kodak Tri-X, Kodak 250D Vision 3 5207 and Fujifilm Velvia 100.

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Hasselblad Xpan II, 45mm f4, Velvia 100, Wellington New Zealand

Have you been to New Zealand’s North Island? Share your favourite memories and travel tips in the comments below!

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2 Comments

  1. I just got back from New Zealand (northern Island) less than a month ago. The picture with your partner sitting at the cafe in Auckland is so good and so cinematic, a word so much used in today’s photography but here the light, her glaze, the panoramic field of the X-Pan and the Vision 250D all played very well together. Well done.

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