Exhibition focuses on the magic of Maungatautari

PHOTOGRAPHER Phil Brown geared up to shoot wildlife at Lake Ngarotoi.

A series of Phil Brown photographs depicting the diverse life on Maungatautari will be on display at the University of Waikato Academy of Performing Arts, Calder and Lawson Gallery, during August.

“Phil’s photographs are absolutely stunning,” says the university’s art curator Anne Harlow. “Each skillfully captured image shows a glimpse of the colour and life returning to Maungatautari in close and delicate detail.”

A love of photography and a passion for nature has led to Mr Brown spending hours exploring the mountain. In late 2005 he discovered a stand of silver beech previously thought to be extinct from Maungatautari. His photographs were used to initially identify them until a team of botanists could visit the site.

Maungatautari Trust chief executive, Jim Mylchreest, says that Mr Brown’s photographs have been crucial in cataloguing the current wildlife and promoting the restoration project.

“Through his camera lens he has brought the stories of the mountain to our living rooms and inspired us all.”

Lakeland Helicopters Ltd and Epro Ltd have contributed to a sound and light show, to run along side the exhibition, featuring more of Phil Brown’s images to create a moving forest experience.

The static image exhibition is being staged at University of Waikato Academy of Performing Arts from August 6-27 from 10am-4pm. The sound and light show runs throughout each day for Conservation Week (August 6-11).