Video: Mainland New Zealand

Shot on New Zealand's South Island, this timelapse video features some great shots of the spectacular landscapes found there. Images were captured near Mount Cook, the Te Anau Basin, and Central Otago, amongst other places. This seems like a fitting way to close out the week, and perhaps inspire a bit of wanderlust at the same time. I hope you enjoy!

Mainland New Zealand from Stephen Patience Photography on Vimeo.

Video: On the Road in New Zealand with Photographer Chris Burkard

Chris Burkard is a professional photographer who travels the globe to capture athletes in remote and extreme places. In this video, he takes us along on a journey to beautiful New Zealand, giving us a glimpse of some of the exceptional landscapes found there while his subjects hike, climb, windsurf, and paddle their way through that amazing place. This clip is so beautiful it will inspire you to get outside and go on an adventure of your own.

Video: The Land of the Long White Cloud

Shot over an amazing week of hiking in New Zealand, this wonderful video introduces us to all the possibilities for adventure that that country holds. Everything from dramatic landscapes, to tranquil skies and flowing rivers are on display, while thoughtful narration by Alan Watts plays over the entire three-miune clip. It is quite a powerful video with some truly spectacular scenery.

The Land of the Long White Cloud from Tim Eddy on Vimeo.

Video: Lost on New Zealand's South Island

This super-creative clip packs a lot of scenery and adventure into just a minute and a half. Shot on New Zealand's South Island, it takes us across the entire place with rapid-fire scenes of beautiful landscapes and wild adventures.This is about as comprehensive of a tour of South Island as you'll get in under two minutes, and once again it will leave you wanting more.

Lost in New Zealand from BenSteensels on Vimeo.

Team Seagate Wins GODZone Adventure Race in New Zealand

The home team favorites and defending adventure racing world champions Team Seagate proved that they are still a formidable force in the sport this week by taking first place in the GODZone Adventure Race in New Zealand. The team managed to hold off a field of 52 teams to claim the top of the podium once again, completing the 550+ km (340+ mile) event in just 4 days, 8 hours, and 28 minutes.

The GODZone race is the premiere AR event in New Zealand, a country that is synonymous with the sport. It is also part of the Adventure Racing World Series, which means that is serves as a qualifying race for the AR World Championships to be held in Brazil later this year. As is typical with all ARWS events, GODZone pits coed teams of four against one another in a non-stop endurance event that mixes trail running, mountain biking, paddling, and various other disciplines including climbing and abseiling.

While the race is still ongoing at this time, many of the teams have reached the finish line and the podium spots are now secure. Coming in second was Team Columbia Vidaraid with a time of 5 days, 3 hours, and 57 minutes, while Team Tiki Tour claimed third place by finishing in 5 days, 7 hours, and 52 minutes.

For Seagate this was just another opportunity for the team to flex its muscles on its home territory. The team has now won all for editions of the GODZone race and doesn't appear to be slowing down in any way. The squad, which consists of AR legend Nathan Fa'avae, Sophie Hart, Chris Forne, and Stu Lynch are now poised to defend their world championship in Brazil this November. By winning the GodZone they automatically receive an entry into that race months before it is set to take place.

You can find out more about this race, and check out the full standings, at GODZoneAdventure.com.

Video: Rafting Tutea Falls in New Zealand

Tutee Falls in New Zealand is the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. While it doesn't look like much compared to some of the major waterfall drops we've seen in the past, it definitely looks like it is a lot of fun. Add in the fact that any rafting crew can go over the falls, and you start to see why it is a special place. Add this to the every growing list of reasons you need to visit New Zealand.

Video: New Zealand: Mountains to Sea

The landscapes of New Zealand are captured incredibly well in this short video which takes us across some of that country's most wild places on a journey from the mountains to the sea. Timelapse imagery captures the natural beauty that New Zealand is so well known for, and it puts it prominently on display for viewers. This is a visual travelogue of a place that is known for its outdoor adventures.

Mountains to Sea from Stephen Patience Photography on Vimeo.