
Award-winning teen photographer captures worlds the eye can't see
Kia ora neighbours,
When D’Artagnan Sprengel was just nine, he had a go with a little blue Canon point-and-shoot camera, getting up close with nearby fungi.
Nearly six years later, he’s an internationally-recognised photographer, whose accolades include a commendation from the global Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards.
The 15-year-old Bombay resident’s work was recently shown alongside photographers from all over the world at an exhibition in Hamilton.
His highly-commended photograph was of a daisy, weighed down by frost and barely keeping its head up.
Sprengel says he has always loved nature. Now that he’s capturing it from behind a powerful DSLR lens – a gift for his 11th birthday – he can see things the eye cannot.
“It shows a difference perspective. Like a spider, which people don’t like, it can show that they’re awesome, they’re fluffy and cute sometimes. They are a lovely and beautiful creature.”

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A Unicorn by Any Other Name - By Abigail Judson
A Unicorn by Any Other Name
By Abigail Judson
19 April - 13 May
Community Gallery Franklin Arts Centre
Opening event: Saturday 19 April 2025
10am onwards
An exploration and celebration of two unicorn behemoths whose love for life and relationship inspired a late diagnosed (and overdue) neurodivergent artist to begin her own journey of acceptance and healing. Each piece is a love letter to Tama and Ollie, exploring each of their unique personalities and relationships with the land.


Share your favourite lime recipe and get a free copy of our June issue
Kia ora neighbours. We will give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're on the hunt for all things lime! Send your family's favourite way to use up this citrus, to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by April 17, 2025. If we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of the June issue.
