Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries:
Well, see ya later, 2025. Can't say I'm going to miss ya. There were definitely some highlights, mostly involving waves, snow missions, Indonesian adventures with my mates from Sumatran Surfariis and throughout the country, and, of course, a few super fun commercial photography and filming jobs to keep the wolves at bay ... just. But, overwhelmingly at times, it felt like New Zealand was in an economic mega slump for most of the year. I returned home from Australia to start my company Adventure Media Group during the Global Financial Crisis, and these past two years have been my toughest yet.
I know I'm not the only one in that boat. I hope 2026 can bring some much-needed economic sunshine to Aotearoa. Or at least a rewind on the cost of living crisis and the plundering that has been running rampant and unchecked when it comes to our basic needs: food, banking, insurance, rates, electricity, fuel etc.
Humanity in New Zealand and internationally has reached new lows in 2025. Let's hope that's not a trend that continues. No pressure, 2026, but we need you on your A-Game. And some decent swell would be nice.
This is our last edition for 2025, and it also happens to be our 750th edition. That's a lot of images I have subjected you to over the years! Thanks for being a part of this journey. I love every message and conversation I have with my readers throughout the country and the world.
Big love to you all and wishing you all the best for 2026, Derek
PS Matt Watson is urging recreational fishers to stand up and take notice of the sweeping commercially led changes that Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is proposing. The list of 19 changes reads like a horror show for fish stocks in New Zealand. One of those is to allow the taking and selling of "dead marlin", essentially opening up a new target species to commercial fishing. He also proposes to increase the length of open water set nets from 3km to 4.5km and increase the amount of time they can "soak" in the water. One amendment would see an increase in the non-quota species that can be taken by trawl, longline and Danish seine operators. He also wants to review the current ban on Danish seine operators near the South Island. For a commercial fishing industry with a reputation so sketchy and tattered that it point blank rejected cameras on boats, this is a worrying new direction. Consider this: New Zealand is the only country still bottom trawling on seamounts in the South Pacific. We're also one of the only countries to target a spawning hoki fishery. New Zealand's fisheries reads like a train wreck right now. Future generations are relying on us now to make better choices and to stand up while it can still count.
Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries: