Australian photographer crowned winner of The Nature Conservancy’s 2025 Oceania Photo Contest

A stunning photograph of divers freeing an endangered humpback whale from an entangled chain has been announced as the Grand Prize winner of The Nature Conservancy’s 2025 Oceania Photo Contest. Tauhi, taken by Australian photographer Miesa Grobbelaar, was also the winner of the People and Nature category, netting prize money totalling AUD$6,750.

Contest judge and acclaimed nature photographer Jarrod Boord said the winning image, taken off the coast of Ha’api, Tonga, highlighted the important connection between humans and our natural world.

“This is an incredible moment that has been captured. It’s a moment in time that speaks a confronting truth about humanity and its impact on the world.

“Without even a caption, it tells a story that brings tears to my eyes. It's horrific and beautiful, it’s humanity’s relationship with nature at its worst and humanity caring for nature at its best, all at the same time.”

Dr Eddie Game, TNC’s Head of Oceania Programs, said that this year’s winners – across six categories - highlight not only the strength and resilience of the region’s ecosystems, but also the deep connection people have to nature and the vital role it plays in their lives.

“We often think that art and science exist in separate vacuums, but this contest proves that notion wrong. These photographs capture the rich diversity of the plants, wildlife, lands and waters of Oceania - the very fabric that sustains communities, inspires culture, and makes this region such an important place to conserve and protect.”

With over 3,500 photos submitted from across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, the second year of the contest has seen an 87% increase in entries.

A panel of professional photographers selected a first, second and third prize winner in each of the six categories. One category winner is chosen as the Grand Prize winner, taking home AUD$6000 on top of their category winnings of AUD$750. All winners share in a $15,000 prize pool for their images that have inspired awe and captured wonder.

“The standard this year was really high, including great submissions from countries across the whole region. It was a tough one to judge. We chose to reward images that were visually stunning and that told important stories, but that also required luck and great timing as well as a high level of technical expertise to capture.” said esteemed international photographer and contest judge Ben Buckland.

Fellow judge and award-winning photographer Annette Ruzicka provided further insight into the judging process, noting each of the three brought a different perspective.

“We all bring a different eye and point of view. But I look for something magical – be that subject matter, the moment in time and use of light. One doesn't have to deep dive or use the best camera for that; it's about aspecial moment captured and the photographer's love of what they shoot. That's what I look for."

View the Winner's Gallery