A vast land of outstanding natural beauty, the South Island of New Zealand is the living embodiment of 100 percent pure. Celebrated for its pristine, diverse landscapes – from dramatic mountain ranges to undulating hills, rolling plains, rugged tundra, deep bush, azure lakes, rushing rivers and tempestuous sea – Spirit of the South is a stunning tribute to the mainland, showcasing all its majesty and grandeur like never before.

Andris Apse (left) has been photographing nature for more than 30 years and is considered New Zealand’s leading landscape photographer. Spirit of the South encapsulates Apse’s work – much of it previously unpublished – at its best, certainly at its most rich and diverse. Apse’s lens captures that ephemeral moment in time, when the interplay of light and shadow falls across the land in such a way that it takes your breath away. Page after page of shimmering landscapes transport the viewer to a time and place where nature is king – modern life becomes insignificant. One moment you are high in the peaks of Mount Aspiring; the next, traversing Fiordland National Park, the Canterbury Plains, Central, the West Coast, right down to Dusky Sound and Stewart Island.
Apse’s photographic journey is enhanced by the words of prominent New Zealanders – Alison Ballance, Anton Oliver, Fiona Farrell and Kennedy Warne – all of whom are recognised for their active engagement in conserving our natural heritage. Their essays are a powerful response to Apse’s photography.I was especially moved by Anton Oliver's piece describing his relationship with Central.
The photography in Spirit of the South is drawn from a wide body of Apse’s work; the book featuring more than 200 photographs, including his most recent images, personal favourites and the very best from his expansive portfolio.
Spirit of the South is a lavish, truly collectible piece of publishing – a book to savour, to give and to treasure.
I have worked in the book world since 1968 and I can't recall a finer piece of New Zealand publishing featuring the landscape.My congratulations to all concerned.You should feel very proud of your achievement.