From one Pole to the other, Niwa scientists work in some of the world's most extraordinary landscapes. On any given day you might find a Niwa staff member under the ocean, on the ice, atop a mountain or deep in a lake or river.
These stunning environments are celebrated each year in an annual photography competition for staff.
![A flying fish jumps out of the water at the Poor Knights Islands, this image won the overall prize. Photo / Crispin Middleton](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/7FU3NATTGTFXKWUHH3HWPJEBIM.jpg?auth=13ba0b0d90c152d6ef01362de26db7cdf6f71080791915b582203b97a3abbb5d&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
The winner of this year's award was specialist diver Crispin Middleton, with his photo entitled Underwater Angel, taken near the Poor Knights Islands. Middleton has been trying to capture photos of flying fish for years, but every time he tried they would simply dart away. This year he managed to get his shot by hovering above the fish where they would linger for a few seconds before darting away.
The judges described the flying fish as like a piece of jewellery set against a black background.