Pupils at Wakanui and Mayfield schools have been exploring their neighbourhoods through the camera lens.
They are involved in a free photography programme, for tamariki in rural New Zealand, called Inside Stories.
Photographer Heather Milne of Christchurch created the programme, now in its second year.
She had earlier success at Grey, Buller and Selwyn districts.
‘‘It is all about exploring their neighbourhoods through photography,’’ Milne said.
‘‘The programme enables young people to participate in the arts, and document changes happening in their community and environment.’’
Milne said she created the programme while volunteering with Taskforce Kiwi and photographing the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle.
‘‘During that event, I noticed local young people who weren’t able to help out with the ‘big stuff’, and I thought that they should be the photographers of their communities during vulnerable times. That started the idea of Inside Stories,’’ she said.
‘‘I created the workshops to provide children with camera skills so that they can document what’s happening in their environment.’’
For the Wakanui and Mayfield pupils, their photographs went on display last month in each of the school’s library spaces.
Milne said feedback from the exhibitions had been positive. One mum had said her child really enjoyed taking photos and looking at the images afterwards, noting the light and shapes in those photos.
Another parent noticed how individual the photographs were, even when pupils were taking photos of similar subjects.
Wakanui principal Trena Watt was impressed with the standard of the pupils’ photographs and how enthusiastic the children were, Milne said.
The programme had been a good way to promote creativity in rural areas and get children thinking about art differently. Feedback from participants and exhibition visitors had been overwhelmingly positive, Milne said.
‘‘Tamariki learn about photography, story-telling, and exhibiting. People see their regional neighbourhoods through the lens of a young generation, and learn more about what makes their community special.’’
Since 2016, Milne’s work has included a range of themes from urban decay to collective grief and explores the impact of change in social structures and environments.
‘‘My photo essay work has been featured in Art New Zealand and in local and international exhibitions, and I volunteer with Taskforce Kiwi to photograph natural disaster relief work in New Zealand and overseas.
‘‘I draw on observations of transformation, recovery and trauma to create photographs that document shared community experiences.’’
