I shot this project entirely on my Canon 80D, with a Rode VideoMic, a Rode WirelessGO and my homemade monopod made with an extendable mop handle - travelling with a simple and minimal kit to match the reality of the 11-day expedition from Tongariro National Park to the Whanganui coastline.
The first two days we were met with strong winds and heavy rain as we climbed the Tongariro Crossing; the weather forcing us into plan B which involved a significantly longer two days around the mountain via Waihohonu DOC campground. I protected my camera with a simple dry bag so I could whip it out at opportune moments to film and snap off shots before tucking it back into relative dryness.
After a rough couple of days we arrived into Whakapapa village. I then accompanied the group on two days mountain-biking to Whakahoro, where we had a rest day before embarking onto the Whanganui River where we spent three days canoeing downriver to Jerusalem. After a couple more days of biking we made it to Whanganui and the coast!
Having grown up tramping and exploring Aotearoa's wilderness with my family and attending a steady diet of SUNZ camps it was such a privilege to capture this expedition. I was thrilled with the challenge to film in such a range of difficult and constantly changing conditions - and stoked with the results.
