Breathe Aotearoa
New Zealand, 2025
‘Breathe Aotearoa' by Sterre Heijnen is a collection of 11 photographs showcasing the breathtaking landscapes and unique scenery of New Zealand. 'Aotearoa' is the Māori name for New Zealand, who are the Indigenous Polynesian people of Aotearoa. They have a rich culture, language, and hold a deep ancestral connection to the land and environment.
The exhibition offers a glimpse into the country’s diverse natural beauty, from the quiet presence of nature and wildlife to the vastness of its coastlines and mountains. Each image invites you to pause, breathe, and connect with the spirit of Aotearoa.
The exhibition sold out and all proceeds were donated to the Love Wānaka Community Fund. This charity supports local initiatives that protect and enhance the natural environment while strengthening the community that cares for it. Through this contribution Sterre hopes to help preserve the landscapes and wildlife captured in her images and let them be admired for generations to come.
Read more about Sterre's donation to Love Wãnaka in their journal article Breathe Aotearoa: Creativity, Connection, and Giving Back.
The exhibition was part of the Creative Spaces Project hosted by the Three Lakes Cultural Trust in collaboration with the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
You can learn more about the project in the QLDC article Connecting creativity with places across the Queenstown Lakes District, and dive deeper into Sterre's exhibition and the stories behind her photos in this interview with The Wānaka App.
Breathe Aotearoa was on display in November 2025 at the Wānaka Recreation Centre.