Const Seaton McGuigan, a relieving forensic photographer in Dunedin, took the winning image during a visit to the marae on Otago Peninsula.
National police dogs co-ordinator Police Dog Charitable Trust chairman Inspector Todd Southall said forensic photographers from Auckland to Dunedin entered the competition, and the standard was very high.
"Police photographers are talented people and their skills help us enormously in what they do every day in their core forensic duties.
"Their creative flair shines in their support for dog section and the calendars."
Const McGuigan said it was the first time he had entered the competition, and he was pleased to win.
"The setting and the colours resonated as Regan and Paikea had been working on several initiatives in the lead-up to Maori Language Week."
With a degree in design studies behind him, Const McGuigan has been with police for 11 years, including the last three as a relieving forensic photographer.
He was presented with a trophy and a large copy of his photo at yesterday's patrol dog graduation at the New Zealand Police Dog Training Centre.
Const Mauheni and Paikea were among the graduating handlers and dogs.
The day marked the officer's return to full operational dog section duties after he was badly injured two years ago, during an armed offenders squad operation in Kawerau, Bay of Plenty.
After undergoing surgery in Waikato and early rehabilitation in Rotorua, Const Mauheni transferred to Dunedin to assist his recovery.
He has raised Paikea as a foster pup from 8 weeks old, with the goal of graduating as operational together.
Paikea's journey from pup to patrol dog has featured in an Instagram account.
Const Mauheni joined police 10 years ago and Paikea is his third dog.
