Many people gathered for a protest. There are police standing to the left of them.

Photographer: Ans Westra

Dutch-born New Zealand photographer Ans Westra is known for her black-and-white documentary photography of the people of Aotearoa New Zealand, including protests and marches, Māori communities, street photography, and industrial scenes.

Exhibition: Ans Westra 1936–2023

This exhibition celebrates the life and work of Ans Westra, one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most renowned photographers.

Closed

18 Mar – 17 Sep 2023

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

A black and white portrait of a woman looking at the camera with her chin resting on her hand.

Ans Westra, photographer (1936–2023)

New Zealand photographer Ans Westra passed away on 26 February 2023 at age 86. Here curator of photography Athol McCredie reflects on some aspects of Westra’s work.

A woman with a camera is taking a self portrait in a mirror.

Biography of Ans Westra

Ans Westra (28 April 1936 – 26 February 2023) is one of New Zealand’s best-known social documentary photographers.

View of three young Māori men leaning on a wooden rail. On their left stands a young blonde woman in a St Johns uniform.

Listen: Interview with Ans Westra

This excerpt is from a conversation between photographer Ans Westra and Curator Photography Athol McCredie for the book, ‘The New Photography’.

“If people didn’t want me to take the photograph they would chase me away.”
– Ans Westra

Cover image for Washday at the pa. A black and white photo of children sitting and standing on the doorstep of a house

Ans Westra – ‘Washday at the Pa’ controversy

‘Washday at the Pa’ was a school bulletin published in 1964 by the Education Department’s School Publications section. It has faced criticism as well as praise since publication.

Low-angle shot of a man with a cigarette in his mouth playing pool while other men stand around behind him

Explore Ans Westra images on Collections Online

Our collection of over 10,000 Ans Westra images includes a large selection of working prints which can be used for study purposes.