The Royal Society of New Zealand is running a photography competition to capture images that reflect New Zealand’s changing population. 

Like a census, photos will be taken on the same day, Sunday 13 April 2014.  The competition’s chief judge, highly-regarded photographer Professor Anne Noble ONZM, explains that the photo competition is like a visual census – a way of capturing a snapshot in time. 

“The census has many far-reaching uses – data from the latest Census of Population and Dwellings is being used by councils, government, iwi and businesses to make billions of dollars of funding decisions – decisions about our hospitals, roads, services, schools and public transport. 

“Photos are a perfect way to capture New Zealand’s changing population in a visual way,” says Professor Noble. 

“The three categories—diversity, migration and ageing— reflect some of the key changes happening in our population.” 

The competition has an adult and youth division, with cash prizes for the winners. The overall winner of the adult division (18 years and over) will get $700, with $400 for category winners. The youth overall winner (under 18 years) will receive $400 with a further $200 for category winners. 

The winning images will be published online and will visualise the Our Futures: Te Pae Tawhiti review the Royal Society of New Zealand is currently undertaking. 

The chair of the review, Professor Gary Hawke, says the review explores the changing New Zealand population, and the implications of this for the economy, our culture, identity, our cities and the regions, education, and health. 

“We hope this review will encourage wide discussion and broaden understanding of the changing nature of New Zealand society.” 

To enter the competition fill out the online form at www.royalsociety.org.nz/photocomp and send your photo(s) after 13 April to ourfutures@royalsociety.org.nz

 The competition closes midday, Monday 28April 2014. 

To find out more about the Our Futures:Te Pae Tawhiti review visit:

www.royalsociety.org.nz/our-futures 

Background information

About the Royal Society of New Zealand

The Royal Society of New Zealand promotes science, technology and humanities in schools, in industry and in society. We administer funds for research, publish peer-reviewed journals, offer advice to government, and foster international scientific contact and co-operation. www.royalsociety.org.nz