Tu Tama Wahine o Taranaki is celebrating its 30 year anniversary in a positive, creative and unique way by celebrating the many hands, faces and ngakau that have supported this tupuna (ancestors) kaupapa (purpose/initiative).
Our aim was to use the medium of photography to capture and tell our stories for our own whanau Maori to reflect on and for other indigenous women across the world to consider.
We are highlighting Maori women’s regeneration of the art of pukauae as a healing and traditional ritual practice to enhance mana wahine and to strengthen our identity within Aotearoa.
Pukauae Exhibition Photographic Artist: Tania NiwaGrand Master of Photography AIPP | Fellow II NZIPP
Here is an insight into how I came to be involved and my experience with this phenomenal project.
“Christmas time four years ago, I was with my dad down at the Waitara River Mouth and had the most fortuitous reconnection, after 30 years, with Dr Leonie Pihama. Leonie’s baby sister Judy was one of my best friends at Waitara High School. Whilst beside the river, Leonie mentioned the vision she and Ngaropi Raumati had in wanting to capture and compile the stories of Taranaki women around moko kauae and the resurgence of this cultural practice.
Four years later, here we are. To be selected by Tu Tama Wahine o Taranaki to participate in this project has been an amazing gift and one of the most incredibly enriching and fulfilling experiences both personally and professionally.
So many factors have contributed to the Pukauae project. Having had four years to visualise ideas around how I could execute these images, it wasn’t until after capturing the first three wahine, that a style emerged. The vision for Pukauae was to tell a story of a person’s connections, achievements, responsibilities and status. The moko kauae is a physical manifestation of identity. The hope of Tu Tama Wahine was to create a moment of cultural pride and inspiration for Maori and all New Zealanders.
Five years earlier my mentor, international Maori artist Darcy Nicholas had suggested that I capture portraits of my whanau and the Maunga, with a style of lighting that hasn’t been seen before. It became evident that this project was where I’d learn how to execute what my mentor had envisioned and I had dreamed about.
This epic assignment has been the ultimate challenge both technically and creatively. To capture each wahine in this new way, meant expanding my skillset, investing in and experimenting with portable outdoor studio lighting. The use of this powerful photographic lighting allowed me to illuminate each wahine within the setting whilst also showing her as being a part of it.
You will see a strong emphasis on the background scene in each artwork as an inseparable part of the subject. This equal emphasis on the background to the subject helps communicate connection to, and the healing power of the land.
It was an absolute joy to learn of each woman’s unique gifts, talents, values, whanaunga and tupuna. These insights helped me gain an understanding of the historical importance of each woman’s decision to be captured in a specific place.
During this assignment, it became very clear that there were other processes going on around us, like places of significance revealing themselves to us, to feature in some of the artworks.
It takes courage to trust in wairua and when we do, things happen at the right time, in the right space and in the right place. I learnt from different wahine to ‘trust in the process’ and that when the time was right, things would align to make a particular portrait possible.
It has been my privilege to shine a light on each wahine, capturing portraits that will become legacy pieces for each of their whanau. The Pukauae collection has been designed to celebrate the revitalisation of moko kauae as a traditional art form and the resurgence of our cultural practice, reflecting our human and environmental interdepence, wahine and land are intimately connected. “
EXCERPT from EXHIBITION BOOKLET from Tu Tama Wahine o Taranaki:
Pukauae Exhibition Photographic Artist:
Tania NiwaGrand Master of Photography AIPP | Fellow II NZIPP
(Taranaki and Te Atiawa) Parents, Raewynne and John ‘Hone’ Niwa
“My photography is all about connecting, capturing and reflecting upon the essence, character and soul of people, their families, environment and culture.“
Photographic artist Tania Niwa draws inspiration and strength from her Maori cultural heritage. In her early career in 1994, whilst still living in Taranaki, she created a ‘tribal’ series of indigenous portraits where she was able to infuse her images with the style and character of her Maori ancestry. Owae Marae, Waitara and Mounga Taranaki featured as central sources of inspiration for her artworks. Fast forward 25 years, and these iconic Taranaki treasures continue to evoke an abundance of awe-inspiring energy for the Taranaki born contemporary artist.
Tania is as an artist who, through portraiture, captures the environment and the cultural spirit seen behind the subjects of her portraits. She is highly respected in both Aotearoa, Australia and amongst the senior leadership of Contemporary Maori artists. Photography has been her passion from early school days after which she migrated to Australia and set an enviable reputation with many international photographic awards.
Tania is Australia’s youngest female Grand Master of Photography with the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) as well as a Licentiate. In her early career, she was also one of the youngest to achieve Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP).
In 2015, when ‘the call of Taranaki’ became too strong, with great support and advise Tania changed her business model and returned home to Waitara, opening a studio nearby in New Plymouth, the city in which she was born and where her professional career began. Tania shares her time between New Plymouth and Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Artworks Medium: CHROMALUXE HD Metal Prints
Camera: Canon EOS 5Ds 50.6 Megapixel
This Project has been enabled through funding support from Taranaki Lottery Grants Board.
Special thanks to:
Awhina Cameron – CEO Tu Tama Wahine o Taranaki, Ngaropi Cameron – foundation member and Director of Tu Tama Wahine o Taranaki, Dr Leonie Pihama
CHROMALUXE, Matt Carter – CartersNZ, Toby Warne – Sales manager Asia Pacific, Cory Marshall – print to metal
Canon CPS Australia, Selena Simpson (post production expert)
Here is the stunning chapel style beach house of Jetcharm Barbershop owners Shaun and Cassie Conaglen of New Plymouth. Shaun who is a master builder and had a vision that this new addition to their family home resemble the old mission houses built when European settlers first arrived to New Zealand.
This beautiful new building sits adjacent to their single storey weatherboard cottage and will provide alternative accommodation when their original home is renovated to a Californian-style bungalow.
This very romantic dream addition is a big hit with guests. It can also be hired for wedding ceremonies and as a bed and breakfast known as Little Church Bay which has a five star rating on Air b n b where Cassie is noted as a ‘superhost’.
The property is on a triangular block which borders the New Plymouth coastal walkway just below. The city centre is just a short walk/bike ride along the popular walkway with views of the Tasman Sea.
FROM MANLY TO NEW PLYMOUTH…
Shaun and Cassie lived in Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches for three decades before relocating home to New Plymouth five years ago with their two daughters. New Plymouth is a popular tourist destination with a population of around 74,000 people in the province of Taranaki on the mid west coast of the North Island of New Zealand.
My connection to the Conaglen family started in Sydney with the arrival of their first daughter, when they commissioned toddler portraits in 2000 and ten years later family portraits taken at Freshwater Beach. We also enjoyed living in the same suburb at North Steyne, Manly Beach.
Shaun and Cassie with their much loved spoodle, 12 year old Nando who was an epic model who always knew when to appear for a photo Sadly, Nando has since passed away (:
In 1999 while in Sydney, Shaun and Cassie founded Jetcharm Builders. The company developed an epic reputation on the Northern Beaches and North Shore for their superb skill as builders for architecturally designed home renovations and building solutions.
Jetcharm Builders worked exclusively for Michelle Walker Architects (MWa). With this strong working relationship between builder and architect, Shaun entrusted MWa to design their dream home back in Taranaki.
Features include a high pitched roof resembling a small chapel, a small mezzanine floor which offers an alternative loft style sleeping area (such a novelty to climb up the ladder and enjoy the architecture and coastal view); bi-fold glass doors opening out onto stunning Northern coastal views of East End and Fitzroy Beaches.
Another feature are the meticulously restored gothic framed lead-light windows which Shaun sourced on gumtree from a demolished building near Geelong, Melbourne.
Shaun has used recycled timbers, windows and doors. Some of the architraves and a door jam came from the locally famous old Victorian style two-level White Hart Hotel built in 1886.
A large scale replica painting hangs on the eastern wall which came from the old Ngamotu Tavern. It shows a scene from the 1800’s of Maori people alongside what is thought to be the Mimi river in North Taranaki.
This beautiful archway, deck (above) and signage (below) have also been created by Shaun. The archway was built for the first wedding held here for Shaun’s sister Claudia Conaglen.
Check out Michelle Walker Architects folio and see a 3d animation of the Conaglen’s home design for this location, (3d animation is at the bottom of the MWa page). To contact Michelle Walker call Mb +61 421 088 110 or email
GET IN TOUCH WITH TANIA NIWA
If you are an architect, builder or interior designer and would like to discuss photographing your latest projects please call or email Tania.
Over the past year I have been helping with Photography | Visual design and branding management for respected Taranaki M?ori leader Howie Tamati during his election campaign for Te Taihauauru representing the Maori Party. Howie is currently the president at New Zealand Rugby League and the chief executive officer at Sport Taranaki. He is a father of seven and koro (grandfather) of five. In his day he was also captain for the Kiwis having played 24 tests.
Here is a quick video and the resultant billboard design which was created for a 4 metre billboard displayed in central New Plymouth, New Zealand. Lance O’Sullivan is a Maori doctor, practising in Kaitaia, Northland. He was declared New Zealander of the Year 2014[2] for bringing health programmes to disadvantaged in rural areas.
I created a series of branding portraits that we could draw on throughout the campaign. These two images below were were used for Howie’s Maori Party Campaign billboards, car signage and all branding.
I photographing Howie at his local Marae (tribal meeting house), Owae, which is also my Marae. With this image above, I wanted to surround Howie in symbols of our heritage and culture. To the left is a ‘pou’ or carved symbol of our great tribal chief Wiremu Kingi. The figure of the chief compliments Howie as a leader within our community and creates a diagonal line or flow from the bottom left corner through the image to the subtle structure of the housing for the bell on the top right corner.
The idea of this image was to convey Howie’s very honest and genuine character. We chose to capture Howie without a tie, to help convey a slightly more relaxed and approachable feel. Below is a more formal image we used, showing a different view, being the front of Owae Mare.
Part of my role was also to oversee the design and production of photo booth frames which we used at Howie’s campaign fundraiser. Picture here is Howie with Dr Lance O’Sullivan and wife Tracy.
Howie with his wife Aroaro and their four daughters. This image was used as during the campaign. Each daughter contributed articles to Howie’s Facebook page, sharing stories about their dad and growing up in a kaupapa Maori environment, all fluent Maori speakers.
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“My photography is all about connecting, capturing, and reflecting upon, the essence, character and soul of people, and their families, environment and culture.”
Photographic artist Tania Niwa draws inspiration and strength from her Maori cultural heritage. In her early career in 1994 whilst still living in Taranaki, New Zealand she created a ‘tribal’ series of indigenous portraits where she was able to infuse her images with the style, character and lore of her Maori ancestry inspired by her tribe’s treasured carved meeting house, Owae Marae and the majestic Mount Taranaki.
She has continued this series over her career to encompass Australian and New Zealand people from other indigenous cultures and more recently over the last five years has focused on capturing other creative women (wahine) from her tribe.
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Here are some examples of a commercial shoot for Real Estate Agents LJ Hooker Avalon. The idea was to revitalise their brand and create images that are reflective of their location at Avalon.
Here is a google review from Principal David Mackay pictured below.
Tania Niwa Photography was fantastic at making the best possible portraits of our sales staff. She was able to capture genuine warmth and energy in our expressions and used great studio quality lighting. With thorough research and testing she advised us on optimum time of day to capture the iconic North Avalon and ocean at it’s most vibrant blue. The lead up to our shoot, process and final production was handled at an extremely professional level and was an excellent experience! Tania can easily handle any tricky conditions to create premium quality imagery! David Mackay, Principal
After a few weeks in New Zealand setting up a second base in my home city of New Plymouth as well as adventures to Dunedin and Auckland, I have returned to the Northern Beaches, Sydney. I will be here and available for bookings until 9th March 2016. I will then be back in Sydney again mid April for 2 weeks.
Here is one of our latest family portrait shoots taken at a favourite location, Freshwater Beach. Featured here are brothers Liam and Kieran with newest addition to their family, Ruby. You would never guess… just a few seconds prior to this, Ruby, being pretty new to the whole beach experience, took off at lightning speed to explore greener pastures. This was right in front of the lifeguard. As the boys regrouped and got her attention for this portrait, we quickly took two shots, as the lifeguard approached and had to give Ruby the red flag to ‘vacate the beach and stick to grassy areas. We were indeed grateful we had captured other images on the rocks in the beautiful sandstone cave.
Ruby is a Beagle King Charles cross.
If you would like a family portrait with your pet please feel free to email or phone. AUS +61 41 999 7556 | Unit 10 Bldg A, No 148 Old Pittwater Road, Brookvale NSW | NZ +64 27 599 7556 | 3 Tay St, Spotswood, New Plymouth, Taranaki
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Exciting times, after more than 20 years based in Sydney, I’ve added a new base back in my home city of New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. I am now available for family portrait photography bookings anywhere in New Zealand. I’ll be back and forth between Sydney and New Plymouth for family portraits (next avail in Sydney from Jan 27th – March 8th).
Here is a heartfelt excerpt from a review by a family who are half kiwi – half Aussie as featured below.
“When we look at our photographs, we feel so many emotions, from joy, to pride, sadness and laughter. We now have something that captures ‘us’, the things that are important to us and the places that are special to us. We really have something to cherish and value. Not only are we so grateful that Tania has captured us as a family and given us beautiful memories of what a young family brings, but also that these artworks makes us smile. Our kids were made to feel like superstars, it was so easy and relaxing which shows through in our photographs. The outcome is absolutely priceless!” | Michelle and Derek Bosson
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It has been a significant week in politics with Malcolm Turnbull taking the reins as the 29th Prime Minister of Australia and new Leader of the Liberal Party.
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This offer includes pregnancy, newborn and toddler portraits sessions at your choice of location, at your home or in our studio and $50 towards your purchase. Pregnancy portraiture will give you a timeless window into those precious moments of your life that you and one day your child will cherish. Check out our Pregnancy and Newborn portfolios to see how we could bring a smile to your face
Hear from a happy repeat client:
“Moments in time you can never capture again – My children love looking at my pregnancy photos on my wall, reminding them which child is in which photo and me reminiscing of them in my belly. I am so glad I had my pregnancy photos taken by you Tania, thank you!” ~ S.Dimitropoulos
CONTACT US NOW to purchase this Special Mother’s Day Gift Certificate Offer!
Minimum spend for this offer is $445 per shoot. Table Top products start at $250 and wall Art starts at $550. Framing starts at $140. Visit our website to see our product range and pricing.
FOR OTHER MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS FOR FAMILY PORTRAITS CLICK HERE ; chat to us on 02 9939 5553 between 9am and 5pm weekdays or drop us a line here
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One of the things we value highly at Niwa Photography is the continuing education and development of young people and inspiring the next generation of budding photographers. Whether it’s hosting an Inspiration Day at Tania’s childhood school in Waitara or judging photographic works of graduates from CATC Design School and presenting the Fibonacci Award for creative excellence, we are always encouraging students to aspire to be their very best and give them hope.
Each year we offer a number of internships to highly motivated photography students who gain first-hand experience and an insightful look behind the scenes on what it takes to become a successful photographer. The students also have opportunities to work as a photographer’s assistant, develop post production techniques and support marketing campaigns.For example, this article was written by fellow intern Vanessa Zhang who is studying Photo-Imaging at CATC, works for her family’s swimwear company while also balancing an internship at Niwa Photography. Our interns definitely have a lot of variety and are continuing challenged whilst working in the industry.
One of this year’s interns, Anne Poremskis, shared her experience below as a photography assistant on a two-day commercial shoot for the Australian Academy of Beauty and Spa Therapy. The shoot involved capturing the wide range of culturally diverse students of all ages actively involved in their education of beauty and spa therapy. The imagery has been used for their website, social media and to advertise their new courses available at their locations in Castle Hill, Chatswood, North Strathfield and the new training facility in Kogarah.
Anne said, “as a recent graduate of the Photo Imaging Diploma at CATC Design School, The Rocks, I was very pleased to gain an internship at Niwa Photography to be mentored by Master photographer, Tania Niwa.
I must admit I felt a little daunted upon arrival as the presentation room was brimming with students and this was the first large commercial shoot which I had assisted. It was tricky to remain low key during the lecture, whilst still getting the job done in a friendly and professional manner. Engaging and coordinating effectively with so many people was a process requiring patience and consistency.”
Anne continued, “Tania quickly guided Ziva (Tania’s assistant) and myself through the equipment set up and were instructed by Tania to be her second set of eyes, from pointing out the removal of distracting items to straightening creases in clothes. This attention to detail would result in superior images and avoid unnecessary time consuming post production. During the shoot Tania mentored Ziva and myself on methods to capture subjects which would produce more flattering results. For instance, when a subject is looking downwards the head should not be tilted too far forward ensuring the nose does not cross over the mouth and outer line of the face”.
Anne concluded, “the shoot went very well and regardless of the challenges the mood remained friendly and fun for all.
I was quite in awe of Tania’s persistent hard work and patient, friendly, encouraging attitude when engaging the subjects to achieving the results she knew the client would expect.
I have learnt that no amount of formal education can truly be a replacement for on the job training and direction from those who have acquired professionalism through years of experience and hard work. A big thank you to all at The Australian Academy of Beauty and of course to my mentor Tania Niwa for this great and rewarding opportunity.”
If you would like to see more of Tania’s commercial photography portfolio for your company or would like to enquire about photography internships at Niwa Photography please contact us or call +612 9939 5553.
