One Morning at Lake Tūtira

Tucked into the rugged hills of the Hawke's Bay region on New Zealand’s North Island, Lake Tūtira is a hidden gem located roughly halfway between Napier and Wairoa along State Highway 2. This tranquil regional park and wildlife refuge is renowned for its rich birdlife, fishing, weeping lakeside willows, and walking tracks, making it a peaceful, atmospheric sanctuary deeply cherished by locals and visiting photographers alike.

I have been to Lake Tūtira many times. I know its willow trees, the character of its water, and the exact way autumn colour collects along the southern shore. I know precisely what it can look like at first light when the conditions align, but on this particular morning, I could not see a single bit of it. The fog was total, a heavy white erasure that reduced the lake to nothing but sound and suggestion. I wasn't working with what was actually visible in front of me, but rather with memory.

I walked along the water's edge, waiting and watching, looking not for the lake I already knew, but for whatever the fog was prepared to offer today. When I looked up into the trees, I could see that the sun was coming.  Close to the bank, a willow canopy emerged from the blank white wall, showing warm gold against nothingness as its branches reached down toward their own reflection in the still water below. Anticipation was building.

Then the light began to shift. It happened gradually through a gentle warming and thinning of the air until the sun finally found a gap in the overhead canopy, driving concentrated shafts of light straight down through the mist to the water. These crepuscular rays were formed by the very same fog that had completely hidden the landscape an hour earlier, and the lake reflected them back beautifully.

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Further along, where an old willow leans low over the lake, I stumbled across something I hadn't anticipated. I am drawn to this tree on every visit, because its shape, still water and backlit light make it irresistible to photograph.  Its heavy branch and its reflection formed a perfect archand just at that moment, a black swan glided straight through it. The geometry felt precise and accidental in equal measure, and I ended up titling that photograph The Arch and the Grace. It was an image that came entirely from the fog, and it could only have ever happened under those exact conditions.

By the time I reached the far shore, the fog had mostly lifted. The autumn trees along the southern bank were fully visible now, their colour reflected cleanly in water that had settled back into something calm and legible. The hills were clear, the light was warm, and the lake looked exactly the way Lake Tūtira is supposed to look on a fine autumn morning.

About Jos Buurmans

Jos is a passionate landscape photographer, proudly calling Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, his home for over 15 years.  For him, landscape photography is more than a craft—it’s a harmonious blend of exploration, creativity, technology, and connection that brings a profound sense of well-being. Whether it’s traversing winding trails, chasing the perfect light, or simply immersing himself in the natural world, photography offers endless opportunities for discovery, inspiration, and reflection.

His work extends beyond capturing the stunning landscapes of Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand.  He finds fulfilment in sharing his knowledge, helping others develop both the technical skills and creative vision needed to bring their photographic aspirations to life. Through his images and teaching, he strives to cultivate a deeper appreciation for the art of photography, inspire a lasting connection with nature, and encourage stewardship for the beauty of our planet.