Please note that all workshops under the PSNZ Workshop Series are only available to PSNZ Members. If you wish to attend a workshop, but are not a member of PSNZ, you can join us by completing our online application form.
Please remember to read our Cancellation Policy, below.
Wildlife of Kaikoura with Leanne Buchan
23 October @ 5:00 PM – 25 October @ 3:00 PM
Join wildlife photographer Leanne Buchan in Kaikōura for an unforgettable long-weekend workshop immersed in the incredible bird life and coastal beauty of Aotearoa. Leanne, owner of Feather in Your Capture, is a passionate educator who loves helping photographers of all levels capture compelling wildlife images.
What’s Included
- Private charter aboard the Coastal Encounter vessel Delphinadae, where you’ll photograph albatross, other pelagic seabirds, and—if we’re lucky—dolphins.
- Guided sessions along the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway, focusing on coastal birds, New Zealand fur seals, and dramatic seascapes at both sunrise and sunset.
Workshop Schedule – Friday 23 October – Sunday 25 October (Labour Weekend)
- Starts: 5pm Friday
- Ends: Approximately 3pm Sunday – Labour Weekend gives you an extra day on Monday to explore Kaikōura or continue
your travels.
Practical Details
- Meals: At your own cost in local cafés and restaurants.
- Accommodation: Please book in central Kaikōura.
- Group Size: Limited to 14 participants.
- Workshop Fee: $475
Gear & Fitness Requirements
- Recommended lens: 400–600mm zoom.
- Expect 3–4 hours on the open sea — good sea legs (or reliable seasickness remedies) essential.
- A moderate level of fitness is required for several hours of walking on Saturday and Sunday.
Important Notes
- The boat operator may cancel the charter if weather conditions are unsafe. In this case, the boat-tour portion of your fee will be refunded.
- Once registered and paid, you’ll receive full schedule details and a recommended gear list.
PSNZ Cancellation Policy
Due to the nature of the PSNZ Workshop Series and that the workshops are generally for small groups and often over-subscribed, cancellations can have a significant financial and attendance effect on the workshop, as well as creating a lot of further administration work.
Although we do everything possible to ensure our workshops proceed, sometimes there are things beyond our control. We strongly advise members to take out the low-cost travel insurance ($20) that Air NZ offer to cover non-cancellable costs such as airfares and accommodation) or to use motels that don’t require advance payment.
- PSNZ reserves the right to postpone or cancel a workshop due unforeseen circumstances e.g. facilitator illness, venue access issues, etc. In the event we do cancel a planned workshop, we will attempt to inform attendees as soon as possible and in most cases you will be given an alternative date to attend or provided with a full refund of the workshop costs.
- If a workshop is postponed, the first right of refusal will be given to those who were already booked on that workshop for the rescheduled workshop.
- Should a workshop fail to attract a required minimum number of attendees to make it viable to run, PSNZ reserves the right to cancel the workshop.
- PSNZ will not accept responsibility for travel and accommodation costs incurred by attendees.
- Attendees booked for in-person workshops may cancel their booking if they give 60 days’ notice prior to the commencement of their workshop and receive a full refund less a $20 administration fee; or where less than 60 days notice is given then we will do our best to fill your place from the waitlist. If we are able to do this, we will refund your fee less a $20 administration fee. Otherwise no refund will be made.
- FOR ONLINE WORKSHOPS – Your registration is final and no refunds will be made unless the workshop cannot proceed.