Tāhuna No. 1
Tāhuna No. 1 Available in A4 hardcover & magazine format. Images ©️ Photo News. All Rights Reserved.
What do you like about living in Whanganui? 🎥
"It's the fried chicken"
“By far the best thing about living in Whanganui is the fried chicken at the Foursquare over by the river.”
“I like it because I love the architecture and the landscape.”
“The streets, nice and wide, nice and clean, some good restaurants”
“People bag Whanganui quite a bit, but every place has their stink things, but I love it.”
“I've met a lot of good people here”
“There's heaps of cool art galleries just in people's homes and stuff here.”
“I mean, look at the main street. It's so pretty.”
“It's a beautiful place to live in, like a really good community, supportive networks and a lot of good social services”
“I really like what's happened to the city.”
“People used to say to me, oh, it's the hidden treasure of New Zealand. And I think that's very true.”
Watch video below:
V8, POWER, NOISE: The Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge 🎥
Meet the Spectators at Whanganui's Favourite Annual Motorsport Event
New Zealand has the highest car ownership rate per capita in the world. So, it should come as no surprise that the annual Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge is an outrageously popular event.
It’s a made-for-TV,
fossil-fuelled extravaganza,
created by 5-time 4x4 trials champion and engineer Dan Cowper.
Every year, thousands of people flock to Dan’s property in Turakina, traveling on buses from the Whanganui town centre.
Just kidding, everyone drives.
2024 was my third year capturing the event.
But this time, we weren't there for the 600-horsepower V8s.
We came to speak with the spectators and find out how Aotearoa’s most diehard petrol-heads feel about this event.
“What do you like about this event?”
“The sound. The mud. Machines.”
“V8, power, noise.”
“The noise. The V8’s. The petrol.”
“The roll-overs. The challenges that they have to go through. The mud.”
“What do you like about the four wheel drives?”
“Their capabilities of being able to go up the sides of hills”
“I recommend anyone to come to this thing. It’s great.”
“Better than Speedway”
“Just carnage. It’s pretty mean.”
“Not too bad, better than sitting at home”
“If you’re a petrolhead, then this is the place to be”
“Your safety, or the truck’s safety is more important?”
“Truck’s safety”
“If you [spend money on] motorsport, mate, you got no money for [drugs & alchohol]”
“Are you planning on crashing?”
“No”
Watch video below:
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Give Peace a Chance: Aotearoa begins its call for ceasefire in Gaza 🎥
Whanganui becomes the first city in New Zealand calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and condemning all acts of violence and terror against civilians. “We hope this will have a ripple effect"
Written submission from Whanganui PSNA
[Quoted text from Whanganui PSNA co-organisers Miriam King, Ruby Haazan, Orlando Bright, and Sophi Reinholt]
A huge win for peace and justice today.
A dedicated group of local Whanganui volunteers from PSNA [Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa]…
…backed by thousands of community members and local organisations/businesses…
…achieved a first for Aotearoa…
…to have a District Council call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
“We can see the tide turning on this issue. It was time our community was heard and voiced by our political leaders. We call for peace and the freedom of Palestinian people.” [Orlando]
The motion that was passed also states the Whanganui District Council will lobby central government to do the same.
“What council will be doing now, is they will be taking that to the New Zealand government to try and put pressure on them to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.”
“Government has thus far taken a weak stance on this issue - we want to stand in history as a people under the banner of freedom, peace and justice. That is the true Kaupapa of this land and its people.” [Orlando]
There were many tears of relief and joy today at council when the decision came through.
“We were optimistic going in but of course there is always the worry it won’t go through - we are so proud of our community and our council.” [Orlando]
Left to right: Cr Peter Oskam, Cr Josh Chandulal-Mackay, Mayor Andrew Tripe, Cr Charlotte Melser
"I feel proud of our local government today. It is because of the lack of leadership at a national level that there was a need for local leadership on this issue. We may be a small town but we sent a strong and clear message. And no matter how small the courageous act, courage is contagious."[Ruby]
Within the hour that it took for the decision to come through, 15 people in Gaza would have been killed - 6 of them children.
The group had just under 3 weeks to gather signatures for the petition to support the motion. 34 hours of petitioning generated the 2200 signatures which works out to about 1 signature a minute - a powerful indicator of the level of support and wish from our community to see this passed.
“There's that quote about a small group of committed people changing the world, which I carried with me through this. I am so proud of PSNA Whanganui for the enormous mahi that has gone into getting this done, and buoyed by the community support for peace and justice for Palestine. We can make a difference!” [Miriam]
“There is so much we can and will build off this around the country. We will not stop until Israel abides by international law and our elected leaders take substantive action to back that. Every child has the right to grow up without the fear of bombs - it is even persons duty on this earth to protect that right.” [Orlando]
Whanganui PSNA recommended a link to Al Jazeera’s “Israel-Gaza war in maps and charts: Live tracker” in their submission.
Written submission from Cr Josh Chandulal-Mackay
Walking out onto the forecourt outside council and seeing the crowd of peaceful demonstrators who’d marched to council in support of the ceasefire in Gaza was one of the most powerful moments I’ve experienced in my time on council.
We totally support the kaupapa
It feels like theres not much we can do, but here's something small we CAN do
The flags, the waiata, and the genuine care for the cause of humanity and peace is something that should make us very proud as a community.
In the Chambers I was fired up by the conviction that councillors must always think global while acting local, none of us are immune from the challenges that go on beyond our borders.
People can see through the lies that are perpetuated by Israel, perpetuated through our own government, and perpetuated through our own media.
So we're disappointed with our own government, our own media, and our own inaction.
- Tāwhana Chadwick
There are real people, right here in our district on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides of the conflict who’re feeling the pain of the slaughter, destruction, and the hopelessness in an unfathomably deep way.
The conviction and strength in Sophi’s speech to councillors centred us all on what’s most important, and grounded me in the belief that it’s the role of elected members to reflect the aspirations of our community.
Speaking after Sophi’s speech, I commented on the strength of the collective and of adding our voice to be a part of a movement more powerful than any of us can be in isolation.
Other elected members also referenced the legacy New Zealand has globally as a champion of human rights and peace, whether it be on Apartheid South Africa, voting rights for women, or being a nuclear-free nation.
The devastation and the loss of human life there is appalling…the world has just stood by and let it happen.
That legacy isn’t created by accident, it happens when people within our country, people like us, demand it and advocate for it. We should never sit by in silence as 36,000 people are slaughter including 13,000 children, and where millions of people are left landless and stateless, living under an illegal occupation.
Written submission from Mayor Andrew Tripe
“Gidday Ben- how's this for a few words. Much of it is words from my ANZAC Day speech but relevant for this...”
The recent petition for a call for a ceasefire in Gaza at the recent Council meeting is ultimately, for me, about peace and unity - in Gaza, around the world, and in our own community. A peaceful and united society should be the objective of all of us.
The petition and the recent ANZAC Day services are a reminder and acknowledgement of all those who have fought for the paradox of both peace and victory at the same time.
Most times a war is thought of as armed soldiers attacking or defending on a battlefield. Today we acknowledge those who have served and fought and those who in that endeavour have been wounded or lost lives.
New Zealand is a peace-loving nation and we have been fortunate over the years to have had many friends – so long may this continue.
I do believe though that that fighting for peace starts with all of our small actions to show love and humanity within our own community.
“God is great isn’t he” [Raewyn]
Perhaps our own war right now is not on the literal battlefield but rather the figurative one of an increasing creeping of social division and social angst. We do not have to be this way though.
Let us be people that are able to challenge our own firmly held mindsets. Let us be a community that celebrates and honours different perspectives or beliefs.
Let us be a community that looks for the positives, the glass half-full.
Let us be a community that can debate and disagree with respect and play the ball not the man.
Let us be a community that supports each other.
Let us have respect for a different viewpoint, replace a different view with an openness to see the other person’s,
…shake hands after a disagreement, smile and provide positive words to our neighbour,
…take time to repair broken relationships with a spirit of forgiveness.
Let us learn to love, give and serve.
We do all these for the most part.
We are a wonderful community and our connectedness and ability to support each other is one of our greatest assets.
That is the best way we can preserve the cause of those who have served and fought for our peace,
…our community,
…for all of us.
Written submission from Cr Charlotte Melser
[Transcript of Charlotte’s address to the Whanganui District Council on May 7th 2024]
I thank everyone from the Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa who have brought us this petition and all those who have signed it and those that have come to council today.
There is an incredible amount of supporting documentation and I want to congratulate you on bringing this all together.
Our community has the Democratic right to bring us deputations and petitions.
I personally thank you all for engaging in this process and bringing this to us.
It is a real opportunity to be the first council in the country to call for a permanent ceasefire and to stand up for civilians everywhere that have lost their voice.
This motion is not controversial. This motion simply calls for a step towards peace.
We don’t need to over politicise this, we have an opportunity to once again, stand and speak for peace,
and to support those in our community that are hurting directly from the impact of the war in Gaza.
“We need to think global, act local.”
It's a great day and I'm just pleased that we got the vote.
Thanks to everyone who had a part in it.
🎼 “Give peace a chance” 𝄢
Watch video below:
Light + Vessel Studio Tour 🎥
Whanganui River Markets stallholders Sara & Zuz, give us tour of their home pottery studio on Campbell Street.
We met through our daughters at school and decided we needed to do something
It’s an expensive piece of machinery to run
Small room, but it works
Keeps us busy and out of trouble…
Subscribe to Photo News to watch the video below:
SaddSakk takes out best Zine at Zinefest
The exciting adventures of SaddSakk at Whanganui Zine Fest
There were many good zines at Whanganui Zinefest on Saturday.
Such as “To be Perfectly Clear”
and “Whanganui: A Love Letter" by Al Goodwin
But the best Zine was this one:
"the exciting adventures of SaddSakk" written & illustrated by Jon Livesey
Congrats Jon on winning best Zine!
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One Fine Day in Whanganui
MeanOwls, Castlecliff Lights, Phoenix Foundation, and Anthonie Tonnon perform at Whanganui Musician's Club for "One Fine Day" by Lost Art Events
The Whanganui Musicians Club is a really cool venue. They run a club night here on the first Friday of every month. It’s kind of like an open mic night on steroids.
This is Dancing Dave, he will likely become a regular on Photo News. His dance moves are iconic in Whanganui & he runs his own music event website called Dave’s List.
If you are not living on the edge, you're taking up way too much fucking room.
Meanwhile outside, Areez Katki enjoys some down time with a ciggie & a sugary beverage. He’s a writer & artist who lives between Auckland & Mumbai & he’s a bloody nice guy. Look at his stuff: areezkatki.co
I would be better on crack than sugar
This is Matt from MeanOwls. I missed their show, but they have a decent music video you can watch instead. When he first showed me the video I told him he was the kiwi Lou Reed, he said he gets that comment a fair bit.
Incase you’re wondering, Dancing Dave’s shirt says “Fuck Mars”
Why waste resources going to space, when you can stay right here & take acid?
Anthonie Tonnon & the Leave Love Out Of This band closed the night with a world-class performance.
They still have a few shows left on their tour:
Sat, Apr 15 Waiheke Island, Artworks Theatre
Sat, Apr 29 Mosgiel Coronation Hall
Sun Apr 30 Queenstown, Sherwood
Thank you Gioia Damasso & the Lost Art Events team for another fine day in Whanganui.
