Strong Voices

Capture the moment is IHC’s photography competition for New Zealanders who have an intellectual disability.

Initially built on the success of the IHC Art Awards, Capture the moment has grown year on year since its inception in 2021. This year saw 160 entries from photographers responding to the theme Nature: the living world, celebrating everything from native birds to mountain vistas.

Judging the 2025 competition were seasoned photographers Shayne Jeffares (Hawke’s Bay) and Bridgit Anderson (Christchurch), who were joined by last year’s winner Beren Hughes. For Beren, stepping out from behind the lens as a judge was a new adventure. “It was really interesting,” he shares. “I enjoyed seeing such a wide range of photographs entered. Talking to the other judges was a new experience. It was hard to pick a winner because the standard was so good.” Though he relished the challenge, Beren’s already thinking about entering again next year.

Auckland-based Dani Zam’s photograph of a lone native New Zealand duck Whio was the image that claimed first prize.

“It feels pretty epic to win,” says Dani. “I have never won anything like this in my life. I love photography because I like taking the photo and looking at it after. And I like other people looking at my photos too. I’m so excited that with the prize money I’m going to buy a really good camera.”

Second place went to Connor Stokes from Auckland for his photograph The Sacred End of the Water, which he took on an ipad at Muriawai Beach on Auckland’s west coast. Connor was having lunch at his art studio Two4Nine when he heard of his placing in Capture the moment. “I felt cool,” he says. “Photography is amazing.” Connor has lately been taking photos of Te Whatu Stardome observatory at Cornwall Park.

Dean Coleman from Pukekohe took third place with his image of sunlight through trees called A Quiet Moment. Dean’s whanau are very supportive of his passion for photography. He was on a walk with his mum and twin sister through their local reserve when Dean captured his award-winning photo. “It was quiet, and he truly enjoyed the experience,” says Dean’s mum Serena.  

The Youth Award winner was Aurora McCulloch from Darfield with her work Taniwha Splash taken at the Rakaia Gorge River. Aurora was in class at school when she found out she’d won the Youth Award.

“I was sitting in class and my mum sent me an email. I looked and then screamed and told everyone I won,” she says. “I’m proud of myself because I haven’t done much photography, but I enjoy learning.”

The People’s Choice Award went to Wellington’s Regan Humphries with his photograph Muscles shot upwards through a forest canopy. “Leaves, sun and trees make me feel happy,” says Regan.

All of the top 30 finalists from 2025’s Capture the moment exhibited at FOTOFEST ‘25 in Hastings City where some of the images sold.

View the 30 finalists here: Capture the moment 2025 gallery

Capture the moment returns in 2026 for its fifth year, promising more unique moments worth capturing.

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Caption: Dan Zam, First Place winner, Whio.