Desmond Bovey

Dec 2023 - Jan 2024

Desmond Bovey was born in Whanganui and moved to France in 1982, where he lived for thirty years, before returning back to New Zealand.

After finishing his university studies in Besaçon, Des became Art Director in a communication agency, specialising in the field of ecology and environmental interpretation, before becoming a freelance nature illustrator working with municipal, regional and national services, as well as a variety of ecological organisations.

Desmond Bovey’s work has appeared in sites of natural interest in France, Switzerland, Monaco, Germany and the Reunion Islands. His art has been exhibited in France and Switzerland.

Desmond Bovey has worked on various environmental projects, notably for DOC, Forest & Bird and local councils upon his return to New Zealand and now resides in Whanganui.

Tongariro National Park is an artist’s exploration of the park’s plants, animals and landscapes. With 400 illustrations and an informative but accessible text, Des Bovey deconstructs the park’s amazing landscapes, giving us not only scenery, but the bones beneath.

He describes how the plants and animals fit together and depend upon each other for survival in the harsh and inhospitable Volcanic Plateau. Tongariro National Park is a field guide of rare quality for one of the world’s most popular walks, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.