Location scout and photographer Darren (Daz) Caulton has an intense passion for Queenstown and its surrounding landscape, expressed through his exceptional images which capture superbly the “Uniquely Southern” Rata philosophy.
Talk to Daz about his work and quickly discover here is a perfectionist dedicated to producing world class, quality work.

The central feature of Rata’s relaxed décor is Daz’s work, a captivating image of a forest of Rata trees which decorates an entire wall and is so realistic “you want to climb into it.”
But true to form Daz took a long time to get the perfect shot.

“It took a lot of searching to find the right spot in the Routeburn in Mount Aspiring Park. I wasn’t happy with the first images and it was only after considerable hunting around that I finally discovered the ideal Rata forest in Sugarloaf Pass. It has certainly got the depth and colour I was looking for and I am excited about the result.”
Daz grew up in Queenstown and is recognised internationally as a “locations guru” because of his intimate knowledge of the South Island. He is aware of many secret locations and has been responsible for finding the ideal spot for a range of television commercials and movies during the past 20 years.

“I love the job. It takes me to some amazing places and it is a privilege to do it. Some days I can be sitting on a glacier having lunch, others on a mountain top. It’s always varied and you never take the area for granted. I have been incredibly lucky to develop my passion around my work.”

Daz provides a range of changing, contemporary images for the Rata website reflecting the Rata lifestyle.