Showcasing Martinborough – Summer Pix are Back

This wonderful photograph “End of the Day” was third placegetter in last year’s inaugural summer pix competition, run by Trish Higginson and Karina Hailwood, creative directors of Martinborough Village. As the judges said, it was a “lovely homage to summertime”. Now it’s time again to roam around Martinborough, camera in hand, capturing images that reflect and display the essence of this very special place.

This year entries are being accepted on the Martinborough Village website at https://villagehub.martinborough-village.co.nz . Go to Village Hub top right on the screen, then select the summer pix stream and upload your entries. There is no limit on the number of entries, and this year there is an under-13 category for your most youthful photographers.
The brief is very easy and clear: Martinborough in summertime. As Trish puts it “ we’re having a spectacular summer and we’re looking for an image that reflects this and encapsulates Martinborough at this time of year”.

As well as entering the competition, Martinborough Village wants to encourage people to vote for their favourite images. There will be a People’s Choice prize as well as the categories selected by the judges, which are first, second and third overall, most vibrant, best sunrise or sunset, best animal and best photo of children. Last year’s four judges – Pete Monk, John Casey, Emma Mehlhopt and Brooke Hoskins – are all eager to participate again. Trish recalls that they took three hours to make their choices, and expects the decisions this year to be no easier.

Thirty local businesses are supporting the competition with a range of generous prizes, the major sponsor being Peppers Parehua. Dinner, bed and breakfast for two at Peppers Parehua with some irresistible edible extras, capped off with a couple’s massage at Pepper’s Spa Boutique, make up a wonderful first prize package. A night for two at Brackenridge, with breakfast and massage is the equally attractive second prize.

The competition runs until February 29, and voting will then remain open for a week. On Sunday 20 March, Peppers Parehua will host the prize giving ceremony.

There are already around 100 entries with more expected to flood in over the next few weeks, showcasing Martinborough as “a cool place to live as well as being an exciting destination”. It’s about the ordinary things we do here as well as the glamorous, those moments of joy in simple things that are the essence of Martinborough in summer.
Rachel McCahon