A Department of Conservation hut warden for Central Otago, Mr Bentley had not planned to work on April 18, the night the photo was taken.
"I was just really lucky," Mr Bentley said.
"My brother called me the day before and told me to get my bags ready because he was coming into the valley and we were going up to French Ridge Hut.
"I was up there carrying out hut warden duties, including cleaning the hut and checking that everyone had made it up safely.
"We went outside to fill a jug to boil some water and noticed a green hue in the sky.
"We got everyone from the hut to come outside and before long, pink pillars started appearing everywhere.
"Since getting my camera, I have been chasing auroras and trying to capture a good one, but I had never seen one that vivid with my own eyes before.
