The image of Mt Cook at night, with an aurora and the Milky Way overhead, has been described by many of the 31,000 visitors to the Wildlife Photography Exhibition as "stunning" and "spectacular".
Nearly 2000 votes were cast for photos in the competition.
Museum design and exhibitions manager and competition judge Shanaya Cunningham praised the exceptional quality of entries and the strong community engagement, noting the increase in People’s Choice votes and high visitor numbers reflected the exhibition’s growing popularity.
She said it made the judges’ job "more difficult every year".
Museum marketing manager Charlie Buchan said the competition and exhibition continued to grow in quality and quantity each year.
‘Tūhura’s Wildlife Photography Competition is now recognised nationally as one of New Zealand’s leading amateur photography contests."
He said feedback from locals and tourists had been overwhelmingly positive.
"Visitors especially appreciated learning about New Zealand’s unique wildlife and the local organisations featured alongside the exhibition, including Dunedin’s Opera (Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance) and Wildlife Hospital."
He said the museum was already looking forward to next year’s competition, with an aim to further inspire and engage the community while celebrating the beauty of New Zealand’s wildlife.
