Co-Exist, Eric Zhu, 18 April 2025

Taken during a hike in Egmont National Park, this photo shows a timber boardwalk carefully built around exposed tree roots—avoiding damage and respecting the natural terrain. It’s a subtle yet powerful example of sustainable design, where construction works with nature rather than against it. This approach reflects the Māori principle of Kaitiakitanga—guardianship and care for the land. It reminds us that architecture and infrastructure can be both functional and deeply respectful of the environment. This photograph won the Ngā Ara Whetū | Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society People's Choice Award. Camera type: Fujifilm X-S10. This image was submitted to the Ngā Ara Whetū | Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society photograph exhibition Woven Worlds: Research, Art and Sustainability, part of the 2025 Auckland Festival of Photography. The exhibition was displayed at ProjectSpace, Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, 9-15 June 2025.