In 2016 I worked on the design of Vincent O'Malley's The Great War for New Zealand, and my subsequent reading of the book generated a list of places of interest to photograph. Amongst these were the Pioneer gun turrets located in Ngāruawāhia and Te Paina. When I was engaged to undertake the design and photography for Brett Graham's exhibition catalogue Tai Moana Tai Tangata – inspired by the Waikato and Taranaki wars – this short photo essay was conceived. To come full circle, Pioneer Gun Turret New Zealand Wars Memorial, Ngāruawāhia 2021 is the cover image for O'Malley's 2024 book The Invasion of Waikato/Te Riri Ki Tainui, with Pioneer Gun Turret New Zealand Wars Memorial, Te Paina (Mercer) 2021 appearing in the text.
Pioneer Gun Turret New Zealand Wars Memorial, Ngāruawāhia 2021
Pioneer Gun Turret New Zealand Wars Memorial, Te Paina (Mercer) 2021
Manaia Redoubt Watchtower and Blockhouse, Manaia 2021
Manaia Redoubt Watchtower (interior), Manaia 2021
Manaia Redoubt Blockhouse, Manaia 2021
Manaia Redoubt Blockhouse (interior), Manaia 2021
Maui Gas Production Facility, Ōpunaki 2021
Kapuni Gas Treatment Plant, Kapuni 2021