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Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch

Our place. climate. world.

Through the Eye of the Lens – Te Tairāwhiti

In the third collaboration 18 students from Whāngārā School explored climate change and environmental issues in the Te Tairāwhiti region through the lens of a camera.

Combining science and art, the class shared their views on climate issues and on mātauranga Māori and science with leading Earth Systems Scientist Dr Daniel Hikuroa who zoomed into the classroom via the internet (on account of being locked down in Tāmaki Makarau). They then spent a week with professional photographers Te Rawhitiroa Bosch, Hiria Barbara and Natalie Robertson (who also zoomed in due to COVID 19 restrictions).

Powerful statements and images taken from the point of view of the group of rangatahi, as well as a selection of photos from Te Rawhitiroa, Hiria and Natalie, will be on view in a free exhibition at the HB Williams Memorial Library during the Festival and online, here on Track Zero’s website.

THROUGH THE EYE OF THE LENS – TE TAIRĀWHITI

8 – 17 oct 2021

IN COLLABORATION WITH:

Exhibition

Be inspired by the photographs taken and curated by the young artists and photographers, expressing their views about climate change.

View the exhibition
Kids editing their photos - Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch Photography

Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch

View festival programme

MAJOR SUPPORTER:

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Testimonials

‘Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival is built of a Kaupapa that recognises rangatahi leading and creating programme within the framework of the Festival. Partnering with Track Zero and Whangarā School on Through The Eye of The Lens created a unique opportunity to bring together the creative spark of narrative and storytelling with the importance and urgency of environmental awareness. More Kaupapa like this are needed to empower our young people to have their voices heard.’

Tama WaiparaChief Executive/ Artistic Director, Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival 2021

‘I’ve been here 14 years and it’s the best project I’ve ever done in my teaching career. It is a platform for change making – it had a huge impact. Kids learnt to apply knowledge to engage  all other kids in the school, whānau and the entire community. The photographers highlighted the importance of storytelling and really related to the kids. The school selected climate change to work on driven by the kids wanting to learn about it. We plan our kaupapa, then pull in all the disciplines –  maths, literacy, art, science – thrashing it in different ways so the kids can really deepen their learning. Every person that came in to work with our tamariki were on the same page; building on and reinforcing the kids existing knowledge. Having an outside organisation come in can be disjointed, but all the communication beforehand and the professional way Track Zero operates made it work.’

Amy WrightKaiako Whāngārā School

‘This project is about relationship creating, deepening collaborations between the Festival and community, supporting leadership of young people, spotlighting excellence that lives here and increasing young people’s leadership skills and opportunities. There was a lot of awe from parents who came along to the exhibition with their kid and saw the quality of work and insights into looking at the future from young people. There was a huge sense of pride by the kids seeing themselves up there alongside professional artists, including seeing Te Rawhitiroa’s photos of themselves in the exhibition.’

Rose McGrannachanProgramme Manager, Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival

‘I loved working with our Kaiako and learning new things and I hope to do something similar in the future.’

Te ArohaAge 12, Whāngārā School

‘Totally enjoyed the children being the presenters of their own art work (photography) and giving their view point of their art about climate change.’

Parent of Whāngārā School student

‘I like Matua Rawhitiroa because I like how fun, kind and smart he was.  He taught me how to take amazing photos. Art is what I am mainly good at so it was cool to learn photography skills.  Now I know how to take amazing photos.’

SkyAge 10, Whāngārā School

Exploring climate science

The project team was warmly welcomed with a whakatau by the whole of Whāngārā School.  Students then took part in interactive science experiments and learned about mātauranga Māori and climate science from expert Earth Systems Scientist, Dr Daniel Hikuroa (who joined via zoom).

Afterwards they met photographers Te Rawhitiroa Bosch, Hiria Barbara and Natalie Robertson (who joined via zoom due to COVID 19 restricting travel) and were given a free camera they get to keep.  They were encouraged to think about how the changing climate is affecting the world they live in and to share how they see the world and our future.

  • Students unpacking their new cameras. Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch | Rawhitiroa Photography

  • Sea levels are going to rise. This high! Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch | Rawhitiroa Photography

  • Learning about Climate Science is fun… and a bit scary. Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch | Rawhitiroa Photography

  • Students unpacking ice for one of the science experiments. Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch | Rawhitiroa Photography

  • Students hearing about our changing climate and the science behind it. Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch | Rawhitiroa Photography

  • Expert Earth Systems Scientist, Dr Daniel Hikuroa joined in via zoom. Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch | Rawhitiroa Photography

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Climate and the Camera

“The evidence is clear – in the greatest challenge facing humankind we need to act urgently, collectively and with purpose to halve global emissions of greenhouse gases by 2030, and get to zero by 2050. In our collective efforts drawing from all available knowledge and resources and enabling multiple voices to communicate is key. The power of telling climate stories through a camera lens is that it engages our imagination and connects with people on an emotional level. Herein rangatahi mai Te Kura o Whangara draw from Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pākehā to provide their perspective and stories through the medium of photography.”

Dr Daniel HikuroaNgāti Maniapoto / Tainui / Te Arawa – Earth Systems Scientist, Senior lecturer in Māori Studies Te Wānanga o Waipapa, University of Auckland

Climate Science Facts

Stop fossil fuels = Stop adding greenhouse gas

As soon as we stop burning fossil fuels and stop adding greenhouse gas to the air, we stop global warming.

https://https://

Stop warming now

The sooner we stop the warming, the less damage there will be, to us and to all ecosystems.

https://https://

Atmosphere

The atmosphere has more greenhouse gas in it today than it has had for 3 million years.

https://https://

Half of CO2

Half of all the carbon dioxide humanity has added to the air has been put there since 1990.

https://https://

2°C warming

At 2°C warming, the Great Barrier Reef and all tropical coral reefs worldwide, will be dead. At 1.5°C warming, we may save 20% of the tropical corals.

https://https://

More than 2°C warming

More than 2°C warming will lock in 5-10 metres of sea level rise over coming centuries

https://https://

Every bit counts

Every 1/10th of a degree of warming adds to the number of extreme heatwaves, floods and droughts. We can make a difference by reducing greenhouse gas – every bit counts.

https://https://

Te Tairāwhiti – exposure to extra-tropical cyclones will increase.

As global warming continues and the tropics expand further south, more cyclones will occur, causing widespread flooding, coastal inundation and landslides.

https://https://

Te Tairāwhiti – the 100 year storm surge will become an annual event

and will experience 30cm of sea-level rise by 2060.

https://https://

Everyone can make a difference on climate change

by reducing our own carbon footprints and calling on government and business to take action to reduce emissions.

https://https://

Photographic Workshop

Award winning photographers, Te Rawhitiroa Bosch, Natalie Robertson and Te Tairāwhiti-local Hiria Barbara, shared their creative expertise and taught the Whāngārā School students how to use their cameras to become their own storytellers.

Read about the workshop in the Gisborne Herald.

  • Students workshopping camera skills with Hiria Barbara and Te Rawhitiroa Bosch. Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch | Rawhitiroa Photography

    A group exercise - Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch Photography
  • Learning the use of a range of perspectives. Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch | Rawhitiroa Photography

    Taking a different angle - Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch Photography
  • Putting camera skills into practice in the local environment. Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch | Rawhitiroa Photography

    Kids working with their digital camera's at the marae - Kids using digital photographic equipment - Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch Photography
  • Learning how to use digital photography tools. Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch | Rawhitiroa Photography

    Kids using digital photographic equipment - Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch Photography
  • Natalie Robertson speaks to the group (via zoom) about photography. Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch | Rawhitiroa Photography

    The group learning about photography - Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch Photography
  • Students exploring creative perspectives. Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch | Rawhitiroa Photography

    Kids exploring photography - Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch Photography
  • Hiria Barbara explaining a photographic exercise. Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch | Rawhitiroa Photography

    Hiria Barbara giving the workshop - Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch Photography
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Through the Eye of Te Tairwhiti graphic
Blue Ice Satellite image

Background image used above – USGS – Earth as Art series 6. ‘Blue Ice’

Te Rawhitiroa Bosch

Te Rawhitiroa Bosch

Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa, Ngāti Pākehā

Te Rawhitiroa Bosch has spent over a decade working as a professional photographer with a love for photography grounded in his passion for capturing moments of connection.

Pūrākau | storytelling is one of the most powerful connecting forces in the world. As a photographer Te Rawhitiroa engages the power of storytelling; by capturing not only the subject, but also the deeper story and emotion behind each moment.

With years of experience in youth development and a love for sharing the gifts he has been privileged to have learnt throughout the years – he enjoys working with rangatahi to support them to unleash their potential.

Hiria Barbara

Hiria Parehuia Julia Barbara

Ko Ōperu ko Pohoterangi ngā maunga
Ko Reporua ko Motumako ngā awa
Ko Ngāti Rangi me Te Whānau a Tapuhi ngā hapū
He tamaiti o Reponona anō hoki
Tēnā rā koutou katoa

Natalie Robertson

Natalie Robertson

Of Ngāti Porou and Pākehā ancestry, Natalie Robertson uses photography and moving image to explore Māori knowledge practices, and to advocate for ecologies and cultural landscapes. Centring Waiapu—the ancestral river of Ngāti Porou—world-famous for its erosion, her current work responds to tribal aspirations for environmental reinvigoration asking how photographs might contribute to its revitalisation.

Local exhibition – HB Williams Memorial Library

Photos taken and selected by the young students and photographers were displayed in a photographic exhibition launched at the official Opening Ceremony of Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival 2021.
Mounted around the walls of the library, the exhibition ran throughout the Festival from 8 -17 October and for a further week, visited by the students,  hundreds of festival-goers and the general public.

Watch the video which is part of a reo Māori series, Ohinga, created by Mahi Tahi Media, with funding from Te Māngai Pāho.

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UN just released a "survival guide for humanity", UN just released a "survival guide for humanity", which said the world is rapidly approaching catastrophic levels of heating with international climate goals set to slip out of reach unless immediate and radical action is taken. 
The synthesis report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the culmination of almost six years of work by thousands of scientists representing the most comprehensive summary of human knowledge on our climate. The report is agreed on by all governments involved. 
It also crucially declares we will "likely" fail to reach the 1.5-degree target aimed at preventing the most catastrophic consequences of climate change. The world has already warmed by 1.1C and now experts say that it is likely to breach 1.5C in the 2030s. Current policies have us on course for 2.7C, as per @climateactiontr
New IPCC Synthesis Report here: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/
In response to the findings, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres says that all countries should bring forward their net zero plans by a decade. These targets are supposed to rapidly cut the greenhouse gas emissions that warm our planet's atmosphere.
Read more: 'UN Climate Report: Scientists release survival guide to avert climate disaster’ RNZ World: https://bit.ly/3JtmLZ3
One of the Report's figures relates to the fairness across generations. The generation of kids born in 2010s will face substantially more heatwaves, heavy rainfall  and droughts during an average lifetime than their grandparents.
It's time to act and give #climateactionnow everything we've got!
Images - some figures from IPCC 'AR6 Synthesis Report. Climate Change 2023' and report cover page
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Contact details

General inquiries email:
info@trackzero.nz

To contact the Founder & Trustee Manager Sarah Meads:

sarah.meads@trackzero.nz
+64 21 113 8858

Copyright and Trade Mark Notice

The Track Zero website includes images and materials from a variety of sources. We endeavour to credit the copyright holders of reproduced work/and or provide links to the relevant source. If you wish to utilise any of the content from this website, other than linking directly to the Track Zero website, please contact us directly.

Track Zero is an independent charity that aims to deliver creative platforms working with the arts, science and other sectors, to inspire transformative climate change action.
TRACK ZERO™ is a Trade Mark of the Track Zero Trust.
© Track Zero 2023 - All rights reserved. Website by Zon Consultancy
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