Ans Westra 1936–2023 | Te Papa

Museum of New Zealand

Te Papa Tongarewa

ExhibitionsClosed

ma_i027632.5967x4867.jpg

Ans Westra 1936–2023

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

***

E whakanui ana tēnei o ngā whakaaturanga i ngā mahi a Ans Westra, tētahi o ngā ringa whakaahua rongonui o Aotearoa.

Share

Twitter Facebook

When | Āhea

18 Mar – 17 Sep 2023

Where | Ki hea

Level 5 Landing, Toi Art

Cost | Te utu

Free

Ages | TE REANGA

All ages

Allow | ME WHAKARITE

10 minutes

Accessibility | E wātea ana ki

Wheelchair access

Over six decades, Westra used her camera to document the everyday lives of this country’s people.

She is best known for her candid images of Māori in the 1960s and 70s. Westra aimed to show people ‘as they really were’. Her unobtrusive presence allowed her to capture the intimacy and emotion of ordinary, human moments.

Discover moreKia kitea ake

People standing in a group ready 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.

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.

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

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.

VIEW MORE ITEMS

Exhibition highlights

Taonga whakaatu

Thumbnail of Object: Students performing, Whatatutu Primary School, near Gisborne

Students performing, Whatatutu Primary School, near Gisborne

Ans Westra1963O.039574

Thumbnail of Object: Trotting, Addington Racecourse, Christchurch

Trotting, Addington Racecourse, Christchurch

Ans Westra1971O.039597

Thumbnail of Object: Ruatoria, 1963. From the portfolio: PhotoForum - Ans Westra

Ruatoria, 1963. From the portfolio: PhotoForum - Ans Westra

Ans Westra1963O.003535

Thumbnail of Object: Wairoa, 1964

Wairoa, 1964

Ans Westra1964O.003491

Thumbnail of Object: Crowd, Cuba Mall, Wellington. From: The New Zealanders portfolio

Crowd, Cuba Mall, Wellington. From: The New Zealanders portfolio

Ans Westra1971O.002556

Thumbnail of Object: Ruatoki, 1963

Ruatoki, 1963

Ans Westra1963O.003488

Thumbnail of Object: Inia Te Wiata funeral, Otaki 1971. From the portfolio: Maori

Inia Te Wiata funeral, Otaki 1971. From the portfolio: Maori

Ans Westra1971O.020301

Thumbnail of Object: Repainting the exterior of the Purple Onion striptease club in Vivian Street after a fire in 1974

Repainting the exterior of the Purple Onion striptease club in Vivian Street after a fire in 1974

Ans Westra1974O.042869

Thumbnail of Object: Hikoi returning from Waitangi, praying on the bridge, 1984

Hikoi returning from Waitangi, praying on the bridge, 1984

Ans Westra1984O.003399/01

Thumbnail of Object: Catching crickets, Greymouth

Catching crickets, Greymouth

Ans Westra1971O.039600

Thumbnail of Object: Rolleiflex 2.8F camera

Rolleiflex 2.8F camera

Franke & Heidecke1960TP000115

Thumbnail of Object: Self portrait

Self portrait

Ans Westra1964O.042837

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT ANS WESTRA

Get our newsletter

Stay in the loop about our wide range of events and exhibitions.

Follow us

Follow our social media channels for a glimpse behind the scenes at Te Papa.

instagram facebook twitter

Join Friends of Te Papa

Friends enjoy benefits and discounts including invitiations to previews and private viewings.

Donate

Find out how you can support Te Papa through a donation or bequest by becoming a patron.