Mike Scott Wins New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year 2026 for Tongariro Wildfire Frame
At the 2026 New Zealand Geographic competition, Mike Scott was awarded the title of Sony photographer of the year for his aerial shot showcasing wildfire devastation in Tongariro National Park. The wildfires, sparked by vehicles on State Highway 47, consumed more than 3,300 hectares during November and December 2025. In addition, Scott secured the photo story category by highlighting waka ama clubs. Jessie Casson earned the portrait award with her photograph of twins Cleo and Macy, while Alex Stammers took home the wildlife category for his drone footage of sharks at Mangawhai. Other notable winners included Braden Fastier (flooded Moturoa/Rabbit Island), Louis Macalister (young photographer), Sara Tautuku Orme (senior photographer), and Brennan Thomas (photo story). Daniel Manchester and Joe Harrison received highly commended mentions.
Key facts
- Mike Scott won the Sony photographer of the year title at the 2026 New Zealand Geographic competition
- Two wildfires burned more than 3,300 hectares of subalpine vegetation on the Central Plateau in November and December 2025
- Both fires were caused by vehicles on State Highway 47 creating sparks
- Jessie Casson photographed nine-year-old twins Cleo and Macy of the Glenora Bears under-nine rugby league team
- Braden Fastier shot flooded Moturoa/Rabbit Island a month after the second of two extreme rain events in the Tasman in winter 2026
- Louis Macalister documented Huntly riders who moved from dirt bikes to horses after a 2024 YouTube documentary
- Stephanie Soh Lavemaau captured Graham Tipene completing Morehu Kara's mataora at Te Puea Memorial Marae in June
- Tori Harp photographed Flavia Lara abseiling past a moulin on Haupapa/Tasman Glacier after months of scouting trips
Entities
Artists
- Mike Scott
- Alex Stammers
- Leanne Buchan
- Brennan Thomas
- Jessie Casson
- Cleo
- Macy
- Braden Fastier
- Louis Macalister
- Sara Tautuku Orme
- Joshua McCormack
- Jono Ridler
- Daniel Manchester
- David Matthew
- Joe Harrison
- Alex McVinnie-Maidment
- Edin Whitehead
- Stephanie Soh Lavemaau
- Graham Tipene
- Morehu Kara
- Flavia Lara
- Tori Harp
Institutions
- New Zealand Geographic
- Sony
- Glenora Bears
- Department of Information
- Columbine
- Cetacean Ecology Research Group
- Massey University
- The Guardian
- Te Puea Memorial Marae
Locations
- New Zealand
- Tongariro national park
- Central Plateau
- State Highway 47
- Hamilton
- Waimarino
- Mangawhai
- Northland
- Lake Roto Kōhatu
- Christchurch
- Gisborne
- North Island
- Auckland
- Moturoa/Rabbit Island
- Te Tai-o-Aorere/Tasman Bay
- Tasman
- Huntly
- Waikato
- Te Teko
- Kawerau
- Karāpiro
- Lake Karāpiro
- Waihi Beach
- Bay of Plenty
- Farewell Spit
- McLaren Falls Park
- Rakaia River
- Canterbury
- Orewa
- Antipodes Island
- Aoraki/Mount Cook national park
- Haupapa/Tasman Glacier