Entries into the Automobile Association's inaugural Capture New Zealand photograph competition exhibited the impressive talent of tertiary students from behind the camera lens.

Capturing the overall winning shot, and winning $2,000 prize money, was Eugene Polkan from The University of Auckland, photographing the Cape Egmont Lighthouse with Mount Taranaki in the background.

Judging the competition was highly accomplished photographer Ollie Dale, chairman of the Auckland region for the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography and editor of NZ Photographer. Mr Dale says the standard of entries was high, but one particular photograph stood out above the rest and demonstrated beautiful photography.

"Eugene's image is one that I would be proud to call my own. I congratulate him on illustrating New Zealand in such a serenely beautiful way," says Mr Dale.

AA General Manager of Tourism, Peter Blackwell, says that the competition was aimed at capturing inspirational New Zealand photographs.

"This competition was all about encouraging students to get out and see New Zealand and capture real Kiwi experiences. On top of the inspirational factor, photographs had to be of a commercial quality, be well composed and make good use of light," he says.

"I was certainly inspired by these entries and congratulate everyone who spent time capturing these fantastic shots and entering them into the competition," says Mr Blackwell.

Open to all New Zealand tertiary students, the competition consisted of five categories and an overall winner. The five categories were A Quintessential Kiwi Holiday, New Zealand's Natural Wonders, Kiwis and their Cars, New Zealand Landmarks, and New Zealand People and Culture.

Ella Trotter from Massey University in Wellington won the "A Quintessential Kiwi Holiday" category with an action shot of a day's snowboarding at Turoa on Mount Ruapehu.

Mitchell Round from The University of Auckland snapped the winning shot for the "New Zealand's Natural Wonders" category capturing a stunning early morning sunrise at the Moeraki boulders.

Amos Chapple from The University of Auckland won the "Kiwis and Their Cars" category, with a cleverly composed photograph taken at the end of a day surfing at 90 Mile Beach in Northland.

Mike Jensen from The Open Polytechnic captured the winning "New Zealand Landmarks" photograph showing the majesty of Mount Cook with a beautifully shaped cloud sitting behind the mountain.

Richard Burson from the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology won the "New Zealand People and Culture" category with a snapshot that epitomises the kiwi love for the outdoors, capturing a spot of fishing on Lake Wanaka.

Each of the five category winners receive a S1500 camera valued at $599 from the competition sponsor Fujifilm.

"Photograph competitions are supposed to inspire both the photographer in their picture taking and in turn the viewers of the final images. The winners did exactly this, encapsulating the idea of their respective categories. Congratulations to each of the winners whose images are a testament to New Zealand and its people," says Mr Dale.

The winning photographs can be viewed at www.aatravel.co.nz/capture along with all other category finalists.