BIG AIR: A kitesurfer soars above a windsurfer at Tahuanui Beach.

ART IN THE PARK: Visitors peruse a pop-up al fresco gallery at the Queens Gardens art fair.

BEACH TO THEIR OWN: Mid-morning at Paton’s Rock Beach, and the only footsteps to be seen are of a dog and its owner.

HOOK, LINE AND SCORCHER: Anglers enjoy the sunshine and hope for a bite at Wakefield Quay.

DUSK AT THE DOCK: A row of masts lines the glowing sky at Nelson Marina.

TOP OF THE WORLD: Looking down on the Wairau Valley.

SUNDOWN: The sun sets behind Haulashore Island at the end of another summer's day in Nelson.

PLAIN SAILING: A yacht glides across calm waters at Nelson Lakes National Park.

HOT PURSUIT: A terrier chases seagulls across Tahunanui Beach at low tide.

MORNING GLORY: Clouds cast colours across Wharariki Beach, Golden Bay at dawn.

JUMP TO IT: Hannah, Lucy and Tom McGowan get airborne at Lake Rotoiti.

FLYING HIGH: Colourful kites fill the sky above Neale Park at the Nelson Summer Kite Festival.

HAYMAKER: A Murchison farmer makes hay while the sun shines near the Mangles River.

SETTING SAIL: Sailors prepare to climb aboard a waiting yacht at the Festival of the Lake at Lake Rotoiti.

WIPEOUT: Ben Cornell, 10, gets some big air while skimboarding at Kaiteriteri Beach.

SEA VIEW: Looking across the bay on a perfect summer's day.

WATCHING, WAITING: Seagulls lie in wait for fish'n'chips on Wakefield Quay.

GIVE US A WAVE: Alex Mallory tries to avoid some wild water on Rocks Rd at high tide.

SAND SCULPTURES: Sandcastles of a different kind on Tahunanui Beach.

SURF'S UP: High winds and choppy waters around the Cut create some rare rideable waves for local surfers.

FLY FISHING: Seagulls hoping for a fishy feast off the northern end of D'Urville Island.

HIGH FLIERS: Kitesurfers take advantage of high winds on Tahunanui Beach.

IN THE PICTURE: A photographer makes the most of some late afternoon light and shade on Rabbit Island beach.

RUGGED COASTLINE: Land meets sea at Kohaihai Beach, north of Karamea, Kahurangi National Park.

SUMMER SCENE: Taking a dip in the Maitai on a glorious summer's day in Nelson.

DOCK OF THE BAY: Nelson Marina is bustling with boaties over the busy holiday period.

TAKE A SEAT: Two cricket fans bring the sofa home from Saxton Oval after watching the Volts vs Stags match in comfort.

CHRISTMAS TREE: A pohutukawa in bloom adds some festive colour to Rocks Rd on Christmas Day in Nelson.

CLOUDBREAKER: Sun rays break through gloomy cloud cover over the Monaco Estuary.

TRANQUIL: Smooth waters at Lake Rotoiti, as seen from Mt Robert.

SIGN OF THE TIMES: Making the best of a bad situation on Tahunanui Drive.

SWIMMING IN THE RAIN: Making the most of the floods on the Brightwater school tennis courts.

CALM BEFORE THE STORM: Ominous looking clouds gather above the Boulder Bank.

THEM'S THE BREAKS: Waves crash along the shore at Port Underwood.

NELSON BY NIGHT: The moon lights up the sky over Nelson on a dark and cloudy night.

SYMMETRY: The Monaco estuary provides a mirror image of a spectacular sunset.

LONE RIDER: Hoofprints in the sand on Rabbit Island beach.

DAYBREAK ON THE DOUBLES: The sun rises over Nelson's iconic hills.

DEEP BLUE: Boulder Bank's lighthouse stands out against a blue backdrop.

BOTTLENECK: A cluster of kayaks negotiates a tight spot on the Pelorus River.

SHIPS IN THE NIGHT: Darkness descends on Nelson Marina.

SHADY SPOT: Surrounding trees offer a cool view at Bark Bay, Abel Tasman National Park.

SWELL AND HIGH WATER: Flooding and foam at Maruia Falls.

SHEPHERD'S WARNING: Early morning whitebaiters are greeted by crimson skies over the Aorere River.

DAY'S END: A serene scene at Wakefield Quay as the sun sets behind Haulashore Island.

MISTY MOUNTAINS: Low-lying clouds of mist roll in over the Marlborough Sounds.

DARKNESS AND LIGHT: Bright sun rays cast deep shadows on the Port Hills.

CONCRETE CANVAS: Illuminated illusion as Nelson's Church Steps come to life for the Piki Mai audio visual installation.

SUN, SEA AND SNOW: Snowcapped mountains provide a contrasting backdrop for a lone walker on Tahunanui Beach.

NELSON BY NIGHT: The final moments of a fading sunset as darkness descends over the city.

O FOR OARSOME: Perfect sailing conditions for the Sea Scouts as they row a cutter past Fifeshire Rock.

GLORIOUS: Princes Drive makes a convincing case for the best sunset viewing spot in the region.

SMOKE ON THE WATER: Fire in the sky at the annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony at Port Nelson.

ABOVE AND BEYOND: A bird's eye view of the city we love.

DUCKING THE TRAFFIC: A couple of feathered friends make a safe crossing on Hardy St.

FADING LIGHT: The sun sets behind distant hills at Ligar Bay.

HIGH CONTRAST: Boulder Bank and Haulashore Island stand out against the pale waters around the Cut.

RAINBOW RISING: Colours on the horizon at Kaiteriteri.

RUGBY ON THE BEACH: Young rugby fans get a game going at Kaiteriteri.

FOUND A FLOUNDER: A Ligar Bay seagull returns to shore with a freshly caught fish.

FIRE AND ICE: Flame-coloured clouds highlight fading snowcaps over Spooner's Range.

BLUE VIEW: Looking out over the estuary from the Honest Lawyer, Monaco.

THE OMEN: A rainbow right between the posts at Murchison Recreation Centre bodes well for Rugby gold.

CRACK OF DAWN: Sunrise at the McKee Domain, Ruby Bay.

REFLECTED GLORY: Snow, sky and scenery mirrored in the waters of Nelson Lakes National Park.

STARGAZING: The Milky Way lights up the night sky around Boulder Bank drive.

SHIMMER AND SHINE: Late afternoon sunlight sparkles on the water around Fifeshire Rock.

TOP OF THE WORLD: Simon Adler takes in the view from the northeastern spur of Mt Travers, Nelson Lakes.

SURF'S PUP: One-year-old Labraspoodle Bunk gets his paws wet at Tahunanui's back beach.

BLUE MOON: A bright full moon sets behind a snow-capped Mt Arthur.

KNITTERS WITH ATTITUDE: Graffiti knitting on display along the banks of the Maitai.

DEAD CALM: Barely a ripple at the Mariri/Kina Inlet.

GOLD COAST: Late afternoon sunshine breaks through the trees on Rocks Rd.

WINTER WONDERLAND: Snow sprinkled scenery at Pangatotara, Motueka valley.

SHADY SPOT: Early morning sunlight breaks through the trees at Kina Beach.

PIER PRESSURE: Braving the elements and taking the plunge at Lake Rotoiti.

HOLD TIGHT: A lucky toddler goes for a spin in a Golden Bay garden.

LONG AND WINDING ROAD: A staircase of rooftops ascends along Princes Drive.

TRIPLE TACKLE: Three fishermen hope for a catch as a ship negotiates the Cut at Port Nelson.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD: Living life on the edge at Lake Rotoiti.

PICTURE POSTCARD: Nelson's iconic Christ Church Cathedral nestled between rolling hills is a classic image of the city.

ON THE ROCKS: Nelson's famous coastal highway.

BLOWN AWAY: High winds provide perfect conditions for Tahunanui kite surfers.

PRETTY VACANT: Stunning scenery and not a soul in sight at Wainui Bay.

DOWN IN THE SOUNDS: Blue skies and settled seas at French Pass.

FADE TO GREY: Gathering clouds move in to mask the setting sun at Whakatu Drive near Saxton Rd.

TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING: The setting sun fades to a dim glow over distant ranges, as seen from Boulder Bank Drive.

SMOOTH SAILING: A yacht navigates calm waters around the Boulder Bank at sundown.

FLAT OUT: Downhill thrills at the Collingwood St Trolley Derby.

SUPERMOON: The largest full moon in 19 years shines over Haulashore Island.

CLOUDY WATER: Summer skies reflected in the water around Rough Island.

A RISE ON THE HORIZON: Sunrise at Farewell Spit.

TRANQUILITY: A calm and clear day at the Saltwater Baths, Motueka.

SUMMER DAWN: The start of another hot sunny day in Mapua.

MOONLIGHTING: Port Nelson and Atawhai get some lunar illumination.

TAKING THE PLUNGE: Backflipping off Mapua Wharf is the cool way to cool off this summer.

FABULOUS FIFESHIRE: Nelson's coastal landmark strikes a stunning sillhouette against the late afternoon sun.

UP ON THE ROOF: A Princes Drive resident gets a bird's eye view as the MV Blue Marlin, the largest heavy transport vessel in the world, approaches Port Nelson in April 2008.