A Mount Maunganui photographer's early start was rewarded with a spectacular sight this morning.

The Milky Way could be seen clearly stretched across the skies above Mauao at the entrance to Tauranga harbour, and local resident John van den Broek was on hand to capture the mesmerising view.

After taking the pictures at 5:20am this morning, John said: "There was no moon, so it made the Milky Way easier to photograph.

"I had my camera on a tripod and on a timer - that's how I managed to get into one of the photos.

"I also lit the ground with a very quick swipe of a torch and tried to stand very still."