Award-winning Pāpāmoa photographer Paula Vigus has spent hundreds of hours crouched on forest floors, wandering through bush blocks and remote landscapes, patiently uncovering a world many New Zealanders rarely notice.

Her new book, A Hidden World: Discovering the beauty of New Zealand fungi, brings that unseen realm into sharp, breathtaking focus.

Recently published, the book showcases Vigus’ extraordinary macro photography of native fungi, revealing intricate forms, vivid colours and delicate structures often overlooked beneath our feet. From luminous caps to sculptural stems, the images transform fungi from background players into striking works of natural art.

Exploration, curiosity

Vigus, who has spent much of her life in the Bay of Plenty, said the project was the result of years of exploration and curiosity.

Accompanied by informative captions, photographer Paula Vigus's book is a valuable resource for nature photographers and enthusiasts. Photo / Supplied

“It was hundreds of hours, and a lot of travel between mostly the West Coast of the South Island where my daughter was living, and all around the Bay of Plenty where people invited me onto their bush blocks to see what kind of fungi they had growing on their properties.”

She discovered that even small pockets of native forest could hold remarkable biodiversity.

“Any little bush block can be incredible,” she said. “You’d be amazed at what’s there if you just slow down and look.”

The book had already drawn strong praise for both its scientific value and its visual impact, making it an ideal gift for nature lovers, photographers and anyone curious about New Zealand’s natural environment.

Inspire others

Vigus was also the photographer for Liv Sisson’s bestselling book, Fungi of Aotearoa: A curious forager’s field guide, published in 2023.

From luminescent mycena to the otherworldly stinkhorns, Paula Vigus has revealed a previously hidden world of New Zealand fungi in her new book. Photo / David Hall

Holding LPSNZ honours with the Photographic Society of New Zealand, Paula has led workshops and talks across the country at camera clubs and the annual Fungi Fest in the Bay of Plenty.

More recently she’s spoke for Sony NZ, inspiring others to discover the art and joy of photographing nature’s smallest marvels.

Vigus is relocating to the small Canterbury town of Mount Somers, where she will settle into rural life and explore new landscapes. She said the move would open fresh creative opportunities, and she had plans under way to run photography workshops from next autumn.

“Some will be in collaboration with Sony, while others will be with people who might like to get involved and come out and have a look.”

While fungi are often associated with decay, A Hidden World instead celebrates their beauty, complexity and essential role in healthy ecosystems.

Pause and appreciate

Through her lens, Vigus invited readers to pause, look closer and appreciate a fascinating part of the natural world that is usually hidden in plain sight.

A Hidden World: Discovering the Beauty of New Zealand Fungi is available now in bookstores and online at www.pottonandburton.co.nz

The Weekend Sun has one copy of A Hidden World: Discovering the Beauty of New Zealand Fungi to give away to one lucky reader who can tell us where author Paula Vigus has spent much of her life?

To enter, visit: wwwsunlive.co.nz and click on the ‘competitions’ tab. Entries must be in by Tuesday, January 27.