13. Aucklandville

I started this street photography project when I last lived in Auckland, and was looking forward to picking it back up.

Mainly I’d visit events. Events are a source of great characters, and they often offer up other production values, like costumes, so I’d start there.

Last weekend there were a couple of protest marches to choose from. I gave the Destiny Church one a big swerve. Couple of reasons. First, Brian Tamaki is a grifter of the first order.

The second is, let’s see, oh that’s right, see reason one.

Toitu Te Aroha offered a different experience. Free this, free that. Love this, support that. So many messages, so little time. All worthy, all heartfelt, but too many for any one of them to land deeply.

Sadly the white hate merchants across town had a more single minded approach. Also sadly, hate rather than happy often makes for better shots.

Change might not require violence - as the organisers of Toitu Te Aroha suggest - but it does need focus. I’d chosen badly. The lens cap by and large stayed on.

This weekend was Waitangi, and I’d be spoilt for choice. I mentioned this to my travelling companion - as she has asked to be known - and quick as a flash, she sent me a Facebook link to the Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua page...