Former Herald photographer Richard Robinson was looking for mako sharks near Little Barrier Island and not having much luck when he came face to face with this blue shark.
It was late afternoon and Robinson had been out much of the day when the fish reared up barely half a metre from his camera.
"Blues are the most beautiful of sharks in New Zealand," Robinson said. "I think they're really elegant."
His striking image is among finalists in the wildlife category at this year's New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year awards.
Herald photographer Alan Gibson is another finalist. His clever composition of sand artists on the beach at Tauranga Harbour is a contender in the society and culture category.
