The Parikino lookout – Buy 

In early January I went on a road trip through the North Island. My plan was to leave Wellington and head through Upper Hutt, Paraparaumu, Levin and Bulls before arriving in Whanganui. From there, I was going to drive to New Plymouth and over the next few days travel to Te Kuiti, Rotorua, Taupō, Palmerston North and finally arrive back in Wellington.

At that time a small weather event in a tropical cyclone called Hale was moving down along the east coast of North Island. With heavy wind and rain warnings being issued across the North Island, I initially thought by driving directly towards it, with a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude I could get some dramatic weather shots. However, when people were encouraged to pack three days worth of supplies in case they needed to evacuate, it was then that I decided that it might not be the best time to drive through the North Island. So, after making the decision to cut my trip short, when I left Whanganui I detoured up through Parikino and Raetihi which is where I came across this wonderful green valley as storm clouds passed in the distance.