Through Our Eyes Photo Competition

This competition has now closed, thanks to everyone who participated
and we will contact the winners soon.

Were you there when East of Eden came to Waitaki?

When East of Eden filmed in Ōamaru, our streets, buildings and community became part of a major international screen production.

Now, as the series prepares to reach audiences around the world, Waitaki District Council, Ōamaru Whitestone Civic Trust and Tourism Waitaki are inviting our community to share what they saw through their eyes.

We’re looking for photographs taken during filming – the transformation of the precinct, behind-the-scenes glimpses from public spaces, the people, the atmosphere, the unexpected moments and the memories that made this such a unique time in Waitaki.

You don’t need to be a professional photographer. We’re looking for great stories as much as great photographs.

Selected images will form part of a special East of Eden: Through Our Eyes exhibition, celebrating Waitaki’s part in the production.

And there are some pretty special prizes up for grabs. Our Top 10 entries will each receive an East of Eden prize pack, with the Top 5 also winning two tickets to an special Waitaki community screening  of an East of Eden episode at the Ōamaru Opera House.

So, dig through your camera roll and show us East of Eden through your eyes.

The competition was open from 11/09/2026 until midnight 25/09/2026.