7 days ago
Photographer shares visual stories from rural communities
Wellington phtographer Nick Netzler travelled to Wanaka earlier this year, as part of Creative NZ's Pacific Arts Nature Residencies. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Wellington photographer Nick Netzler travelled to Wānaka earlier this year, as part of a nature residency.
Netzler was in awe of the Wānaka landscape and saw first-hand how the community looked after the land and its resources.
"This was a whole new experience for me. As someone from urban Wellington, spending time with WAI Wānaka and their community really opened my eyes. I was surprised by how familiar it felt — like working with whanau. The way we came together and valued the environment felt very natural for me from a Pasifika worldview," he said.
"I was in awe of the beautiful Wānaka landscape and the community's efforts to protect it. They're doing all this research on measuring nitrate levels and micros. There were some things I had no idea existed! As a photographer, it was a big learning curve seeing how hands-on and practical the work is to keep the waterways healthy and flowing."
Creative New Zealand's Pacific Arts Nature Residencies are an opportunity for experienced Pasifika photographers to capture the stories of Aotearoa's rural communities. Two residencies were co-designed by Creative New Zealand staff and communities in the Upper Waimakariri and WAI Wānaka catchments.
The initiative between art and environment was supported by Aotearoa New Zealand Catchment Communities, the national body supporting those dedicated to sustainable land and water management.
The initiative incorporates photography and digital storytelling to highlight the resilience and renewal of freshwater ecosystems, sustainable land use, and biodiversity.
Aotearoa New Zealand Catchment Communities chairman Ben Ensor was excited to collaborate with Creative New Zealand Pacific arts and the catchment communities.
"Each catchment group is addressing complex issues such as water quality, climate change and biodiversity that are specific to their area, and they are doing so through community-led initiatives. ANZCC is looking forward to supporting these stories being shared to a broader audience," Mr Ensor said.
Event details:
Nick Netzler x WAI Wānaka digital photography exhibition
When: Thursday, June 19
Thursday, June 19 Where: Wānaka Community Hub, Sidey Auditorium
Wānaka Community Hub, Sidey Auditorium Time: Event starts at 6.30pm
