Milford’s majestic mountains have long been a drawcard for photographers, artists and travellers. 

But what appears in plain sight to some can be veiled to others who suffer from New Zealand’s most common cause of blindness, macular degeneration.

Next week (November 2-9) is Macular Degeneration Awareness Week in New Zealand, and the charity has announced the top 10 winners of a competition designed to highlight the difference between what is clear and unclear to people with the eyesight condition. 

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A view of Milford Sound, Moody Days, by Auckland photographer Phillip Gow, is in the top 10.

“A lot of people I was with were disappointed about the weather when I was at Milford Sound. But I think it matched the mood perfectly.  

“In fact, the worse the weather the better this place looks in my opinion. Jagged sharp peaks towering into mist and mystery. It shows that New Zealand isn't just beautiful during the golden hour on a sunny reflective day, it can be beautiful (and even calming) on much moodier days too,” Mr Gow said in his entry. 

Moody Days: Milford Sound as it might appear to people with macular degeneration. PHOTO: Phillip Gow.  

More than 500 photographs of beautiful views were received for the competition, won by Christchurch photographer Darren Patterson, with his image of Hooker Lake, close to Aoraki-Mt Cook. 

Entries were shortlisted by a judging panel, which included actress and TV presenter Shavaughn Ruakere, landscape photographer Rach Stewart and nutritionist Claire Turnbull, all who have close family members who have vision loss caused by macular degeneration. 

The shortlisted photographs were then put to the public vote, via a representative sample of 1000 people. The top three photographers won a free eye test, frames and lenses.  

The top ten most beautiful NZ views were (in the following order):  

Hooker Lake, Mount Cook National Park, Canterbury; Pouakai Tarns, Mount Egmont National Park, Taranaki; Riwaka Resurgence, Kahurangi National Park, Nelson; Lake Poaka, Mackenzie Basin, Canterbury; New Brighton Pier, Christchurch, Canterbury; Aoraki/ Mount Cook, Canterbury; Huka Falls, Taupo, Waikato; Mt Taranaki, seen from Scott Rd, Hawera; Milford Sound, Southland; Lake Rotoiti by St Arnaud in the South Island. 

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Shavaughn Ruakere said the judges were "blown away by the incredible entries we received”.  

“The competition has served as a timely reminder of just how beautiful our own backyard is, and the breadth of entries featuring mountains, beaches and native bush show what a plethora of treasures we have to enjoy right here on our doorstep.  

“Being able to see and appreciate these stunning vistas is something we shouldn’t take for granted, so taking care of our eye health is really important.” 

A simple test is available via the MDNZ website and optometrists. 

Those aged over 50 are most at risk, with 1 in 7 affected, rising to a quarter of people over the age of 80. 

In the New Zealanders’ in the Outdoors survey released by the Department of Conservation in September, 98% of respondents voted overwhelmingly in favour of their country’s landscapes and vistas, as a reason to get outdoors. More information HERE.

 Find out more about the signs to look out for and how to lower your risk of macular degeneration HERE.