Readers were quick to show they knew sun, water and fun were key ingredients in a good old-fashioned Kiwi summer holiday. Judges were impressed by the standard of more than 7000 entries in the photographic competition.
A day spent horsing around at the beach has won Kaitaia mum Meg Hale the Herald's Holiday Picture Competition.
Mrs Hale and daughter Crystal were at Rarawa Beach - north of Houhora - during the holidays with the rest of the family enjoying a sunny day.
While sitting on her horse Big Buoy and carefully holding her Nikon camera, Mrs Hale began snapping photos of daughter Crystal, sitting alongside on her new pony Gypsy.
"We were out there and then Crystal said: 'Mum, take one of me standing up.' That was what captured me about the photo - the colour of the water was amazing - and the spontaneity of the moment. She's got her tongue poking out, just mucking around,"
Over 7000 entries arrived at the Herald's photographic desk, when the Holiday Picture Competition began in mid-December.
Mrs Hale's winning image was chosen for capturing a moment of fun in a typical New Zealand setting. The crimson from the pohutukawa trees and the aqua water draping the image made a lovely scene.
Mrs Hale, a hobby photographer for about five years, receives a Canon EOS 1000D camera valued at $1099 and a Pro9500 inkjet printer.
"I just get a great buzz from taking a good picture. The best thing about [this] was that we had a great day at the beach that day, so it makes it even better."
Second prize - a Pro9000 inkjet printer valued at $1099 - goes to Art Polkanov of Massey, West Auckland, for his "Unexpected close encounter".
Dolphins playing at Great Barrier Island sees the third prize - an MP630 inkjet printer valued at $349 - going to Janet Eaton of Tauranga.
The junior photographer winner is Blaine Juddery, 8, who snapped mum Joanne with the seabirds at Ohope.
Georgia Bricknall, 7, was runner-up with her bubbly image of sister Grace in the family swimming pool.
Both winners receive a Selphy CP770 photo printer with packs of paper and ink.
