Photography competition launched for World Habitat Day

Calling all photographers, Habitat for Humanity is launching a nationwide on-line photography competition based on the theme, “Place to Be”.

The theme is a global one, to celebrate the UN World Habitat Day on 6th October, and organisers are looking for striking and imaginative images of places where people feel safe, places they want to be in.

Habitat for Humanity NZ spokesperson Lynley Twyman says she wants to use the competition to highlight NZ’s inadequate housing conditions.

“We will put the photographs on Habitat’s website and may use them for future awareness campaigns,” she said.

The competition began in September and consists of four categories:

• Under 12s.

• 13-17 years.

• 18-24 tertiary students.

• Open category for 18 and over.

Each category is also asked to interpret the theme differently, with the first three categories asking entrants to photograph their ideal places to be.

The open category, challenges the ideal of what a place to be is, and aims to have photographs that highlight the inadequate conditions that Habitat for Humanity aims to eliminate.

Entrants 18 years and over can choose to enter either the 18-24 years (tertiary students) category or the open category.

Prizes have been donated by Habitat for Humanity NZ’s platinum sponsor Noel Leeming, and include Canon A580 digital cameras, Hewlett Packard Multifunction Printers and JC Matthew digital photo frames. There are prizes for both first and second placings in each category.

Primary, intermediate and high schools are being approached to participate in the competition and students have the ability to win prizes for their schools if they win their category.

Entries close on Sunday 28th September and winners will be notified on World Habitat Day, 6th October.

The judging panel includes freelance photographer Serena Stevenson and award-winning NZ Herald photograph editor John Sefton.

With its mission being to provide affordable housing solutions in partnership with low-income families, Habitat for Humanity NZ has now helped over 300 families nationwide build and own their own homes. It was established in NZ in 1992 and is a not-for-profit organisation.