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.
Image credit: Te Rawhitiroa Bosch
Testimonials
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.
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.”
Climate Science Facts
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.
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 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
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.
