Don & Ali Parish Photography - NZ

Don & Ali Parish Photography - NZ Don & Ali Parish Photography is about us getting out an about and capturing the beauty of New Zealand....All images are for sale contact us if interested.

Myself and Don have a bit of rivalry about our photography as I shoot with a Canon and Don uses a Nikon (similar to the Ford & Holden rivalry) LOL but at the end of the day we both think our photos look great ...

We met on a photo page called "New Zealand Landscapes" . I was heading on a South Island Roadtrip and posting regular photos of my journey. Don messaged me and said if I was passing thro

ugh Christchurch to let him know and we could meet up and he would show me his local areas. Well as it happened I ended up in Christchurch so we did meet up and after returning to my home in Nelson, we stayed intouch and after many texts and talks we have ended up as a couple and decided we should start our own photography page. All our photos on this page are For Sale on canvas on either
30cm x 45cm or
40cm x 60cm

If anyone is interested in purchasing please message us .. (New Zealand Customers Only due to Delivery Costs)

Millerton – Where History Meets the Wild West CoastPerched high above the rugged West Coast, Millerton is a place where ...
05/06/2026

Millerton – Where History Meets the Wild West Coast

Perched high above the rugged West Coast, Millerton is a place where nature and history blend beautifully together. Once a thriving coal mining settlement, this remote plateau was home to hundreds of miners and their families during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Today, the township itself has long disappeared, but fascinating remnants of its past can still be found scattered throughout the landscape. Old foundations, mining relics, and historic tramway formations offer glimpses into the lives of those who worked and lived in this harsh yet remarkable environment.

What strikes us most about Millerton is the contrast between its industrial history and the lush landscapes that have reclaimed the area. Dense native bush, vibrant mosses, mountain vistas, and dramatic West Coast weather create endless photographic opportunities. It's a place where every corner tells a story and every view is worth stopping for.

Join us as we explore the forgotten history and stunning scenery of this special corner of the West Coast.

📷 Don & Ali Parish Photography NZ


Buller NZ Kawatiri Nature Environment & Communities Trust West Coast, New Zealand

Tucked away among the bush-clad hills near Ross lies the Old Ross Cemetery, a quiet and poignant reminder of the West Co...
31/05/2026

Tucked away among the bush-clad hills near Ross lies the Old Ross Cemetery, a quiet and poignant reminder of the West Coast's rich gold mining history.

This historic cemetery, on a hillside overlooking the town of Ross, is a peaceful place. Some of the older graves date back to gold-rush days in the 1860s and 1870s. Siting a cemetery on a hillside is inconvenient for holding funerals, and digging graves can be difficult, but it is likely that there was no flat land available during the gold rush, when every patch was pegged out by prospectors.

The cemetery is the final resting place of many of the pioneers, miners, families, and children who helped shape this once-thriving settlement. As you wander among the weathered headstones, it's impossible not to reflect on the hardships, hopes, and resilience of those who made their lives in this rugged part of New Zealand.

Today, the old cemetery stands as a peaceful historical treasure, surrounded by native bush and birdsong, preserving stories from a bygone era. It's a place where history and nature come together, offering a glimpse into the lives of the early West Coast communities.

West Coast, New Zealand

A quiet wander around the historic cottages of Arthur’s Pass Village. Each weathered timber wall and chimney tells part ...
27/05/2026

A quiet wander around the historic cottages of Arthur’s Pass Village. Each weathered timber wall and chimney tells part of the story of the people who called this rugged alpine settlement home.

Arthur’s Pass Village grew with the construction of the Midland Railway and the famous Otira Tunnel in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many of the cottages were home to railway workers, tunnel labourers, maintenance crews, and their families who endured harsh winters and isolation while helping build one of New Zealand’s great engineering achievements.

The village is also closely connected to figures like railway engineer John Carruthers, who helped survey routes through the Southern Alps, and explorer Arthur Dudley Dobson, whose name lives on through Arthur’s Pass itself. Early residents included railway workers, park staff, teachers, and families who built lives here surrounded by towering mountains and unforgiving conditions.

Walking these streets, it’s easy to imagine smoke curling from chimneys, children heading to school through the snow, and the determination of those who helped shape this remarkable alpine community.

Today many of the cottages are used as baches for weekend getaways. But they still show the rustic charm of the old timers.

Misty sea fog rolling along the rugged West Coast roads of New Zealand creates such an incredible atmosphere. The coastl...
25/05/2026

Misty sea fog rolling along the rugged West Coast roads of New Zealand creates such an incredible atmosphere. The coastline disappears into the haze while the crashing Tasman Sea and wild bush add to the moody beauty of this well-known coastal drive.

The West Coast has a magic all of its own — ever changing, mysterious, and unforgettable. These are the moments that make stopping along the roadside with a camera so worthwhile.

The Great Coast Road between Westport and Greymouth is often described as one of the world’s great coastal drives, famous for its rugged scenery, changing weather, and dramatic Tasman Sea views.

REAL WEST COASTERS PHOTOS AND HISTORY OF THE BEST COAST West Coast, New Zealand
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Fog drifting silently through the forest, wrapping the trees in mystery and mood. There’s something special about wander...
25/05/2026

Fog drifting silently through the forest, wrapping the trees in mystery and mood. There’s something special about wandering through the mist in Arthur’s Pass National Park — where towering beech forests, moss-covered ground, and the quiet of nature create a scene that feels almost untouched by time.

The fog transformed the landscape into a world of soft light, hidden details, and endless atmosphere — a photographer’s dream. Sometimes it’s not the sunshine that creates the magic… it’s the moody days that leave the strongest memories.

Photos by Don & Ali Parish Photography NZ


Ancient Forests
Arthur's Pass Village

Lake Brunner - Iveagh Bay REAL WEST COASTERS PHOTOS AND HISTORY OF THE BEST COAST West Coast, New...
24/05/2026

Lake Brunner - Iveagh Bay

REAL WEST COASTERS PHOTOS AND HISTORY OF THE BEST COAST West Coast, New Zealand

I call this place "The Goblin Forest" panorama taken this morning Arthurs Pass National Park.Stepping into the beech for...
24/05/2026

I call this place "The Goblin Forest" panorama taken this morning Arthurs Pass National Park.

Stepping into the beech forests of Arthur’s Pass National Park feels like entering another world. Towering native beech trees, carpets of moss and fungi thriving on the forest floor, and the soundtrack of birdsong all combine to make this place pure magic.

The forest is alive with incredible birdlife — from the tiny Rifleman/New Zealand’s smallest bird, to Fantails darting through the trees, and the calls of Bellbirds echoing through the canopy. Hidden amongst fallen logs and damp forest floors, fungi add colour and texture, quietly playing their role in keeping this ancient ecosystem healthy.

These beautiful beech forests are part of what makes Arthur’s Pass so special — wild, peaceful, and constantly changing with the seasons.

Nature never stops surprising us.

A beautiful day out at Iveagh Bay, Lake Brunner — one of those peaceful West Coast spots that always delivers something ...
23/05/2026

A beautiful day out at Iveagh Bay, Lake Brunner — one of those peaceful West Coast spots that always delivers something special

Even better, we bumped into fellow photographer Russell from our camera club. Always great to catch up with like-minded people who share the same passion for photography and the outdoors.

Iveagh Bay sits on the shores of Lake Brunner (Moana), the largest lake on the West Coast of the South Island. The lake was an important food gathering area for Māori, with abundant tuna (eel) and bird life sustaining local communities for generations. European settlement later saw the area become linked with timber milling and rail development, helping shape the history of nearby Moana township.

Today, it remains a favourite place to slow down, enjoy the reflections, wildlife, and changing moods of the lake — a paradise for photographers.

Another great day exploring our beautiful backyard.

A special moment today in Arthur’s Pass — we managed to capture the wee Rifleman.The Rifleman (Tītipounamu) is New Zeala...
23/05/2026

A special moment today in Arthur’s Pass — we managed to capture the wee Rifleman.

The Rifleman (Tītipounamu) is New Zealand’s smallest bird, measuring only around 7–9cm long and weighing about the same as a teaspoon of sugar — just 5–7 grams. These tiny native birds are full of energy, constantly flitting through the forest searching for insects hidden in bark and leaves.

Found only in New Zealand, their little wings beat so fast they can seem almost impossible to photograph, making today’s encounter even more special. The male has green upper feathers and a yellow-green breast, while females are slightly browner with a pale streak above the eye.

Arthur’s Pass never disappoints — moments like these remind us why we love exploring and photographing our beautiful backyard.

Arthur’s Pass National Park, New Zealand

🎉 Wow… 1200 Followers! 🎉A huge thank you to everyone who follows and supports Don & Ali Parish Photography NZ. We love s...
21/05/2026

🎉 Wow… 1200 Followers! 🎉

A huge thank you to everyone who follows and supports Don & Ali Parish Photography NZ. We love sharing our adventures and photography with you all.

What started as a passion has grown into an amazing community of people who enjoy the beauty of nature and the outdoors as much as we do. Your likes, comments, shares, and support mean the world to us.

Here’s to more exploring, more photography, and many more memories ahead.

Thank you for being part of our journey.
— Don & Ali Parish Photography NZ

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