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‘Tamaki Makaurau Rising’ by Rebecca Thomas19 Images
New Zealand-born, UK-based photographer Zephyr Thomas thinks Aotearoa is in a “strange place” right now. “I think NZ can be a very selfish country,” she says. “The legacy of colonialism is really heavy, too.” It’s a reality that many people who have left the country (like me) grapple with when discussing the country they grew up in. New Zealand’s global image seems like a utopia. There are environmental policies, healthcare, and (previously) women prime ministers, but there’s also a culture of conformism. Right now, the country has the most conservative government there’s been in decades, which had proposed a controversial bill that would undermine Māori (New Zealand’s Indigenous people) rights in the Treaty of Waitangi (New Zealand’s founding document).
For Thomas, it’s the perfect moment for her photo series Tamaki Makaurau Rising, which brings together portraits of people in New Zealand’s Indigenous and anti-capitalist creative scene. “I think it’s important to profile people of all backgrounds who are offering alternative ways of living and not just conforming to the narrative of ‘get married, buy a house (if you can), have two kids’ and stay too busy to make any meaningful changes to society,” they say. “That’s what I think mainstream New Zealand promotes.” Thomas returned to Tāmaki Makaurau for three weeks at the end of 2024. While visiting family, she met one of the people in the photo series, Jules, by chance at the beach. “He happened to be standing in the one spot of golden light early evening on a spontaneous beach swimming trip,” they say. “This sort of sums up the different lifestyle you can have back home.”
After moving to London in the early 2000s, ‘desperate’ to get out of her home country, Thomas still questions if they made the right choice in leaving New Zealand. “I hope the photos represent the amazing cast of creatives, and I also hope they show that yearning romantic feeling that I have for home,” she says. The series truly was a family affair – their sister, Rosey Thomas, wrote questions for each person photographed, and Thomas cast and photographed the portrait sessions in people’s homes, outside or at memorable places from her teenage years. “I wanted to be inspired by a city that I had a lot of mixed feelings about, to ignore the parts I don’t like and focus on the creativity, resistance and freedom that makes Aotearoa special,” they say. “I think the nice thing about New Zealand is that all the non-conformists seem to know each other and can support each other offline.”
Below, we meet some of the non-conformist and anti-capitalist creatives Thomas encountered in Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand.
Mikaere Tuapawa is an artist, model and photographer who’s work explores his Maori heritage and pre-colonial gender, identity, and sexuality in Aotearoa.
Maddi Sutton is an artist, student, photographer and model. She has modelled for brands including Skims. Her photography consists of sensual explorations of the body.
“I get inspired by almost every woman I meet. Usually, catching a glance at somebody’s body inspires me to take their photograph: a bicep or maybe the way their hair catches the light. I find the second step of turning the inspiration into action more challenging. When it comes to my photographic work, I am moderately private. The nature of my work is personal, and I prefer to keep the images exclusive. I would say if the world knew me as my authentic self, that would be sufficient” – Maddi Sutton
“My tūpuna [ancestors] created art in Te Whare Rawheoro, a whare of knowledge and creativity. I’m drawn to the way art holds mauri and mana; how it documents who we are and who we were. I’m especially interested in kōrero around pre-colonial gender, identity and sexuality – how they existed before being reshaped by outside forces. I take inspiration from those who challenge narratives – Merata Mita, Angela Davis, Sylvia Wynter. Their work pushes us to think critically, to decolonise and to create on our own terms” – Mikaere Tuapawa
Abigail Dell’Avo is a Tamaki Makaurau-based photographer who also works at Studio One Toi Tū facilitating studio space for marginalised groups. Her photography work ranges from editorial to documentary, and she regularly shoots the queer nightlife of Tamaki Makaurau.
“Aotearoa is such a beautiful and magical place! I feel so lucky to live in a place where nature is always within reach, whether it’s a short walk or a drive away.
“I believe creativity is something ingrained in all of us, and when we don’t find ways to express ourselves, it can feel like a blockage in other areas of life. I love storytelling through my work, especially documenting BIPOC and queer folk. Collaboration is also a huge part of my creative practice – working alongside friends and artists I admire is such a special experience. There’s something magical about being in sync with a team, all working towards a collective vision. Going forward, I want to create without pressure – without a goal or need for external validation – just for the joy of it.”
Mariadelle ‘Abbey’ Gamit is a multidisciplinary artist working across music, illustration and 3D installations and is the co-creator of the collective All My Friends in Tamaki Makaurau. Their work currently focuses on the digital space and the blurred lines between the online and offline worlds.
“It excites and inspires me when I see others with ventures that go against the grain. It’s quite important to be steadfast in expressing yourself at the moment whilst maintaining authenticity. I create for others like me who often feel invisible, misunderstood or find it difficult to express themselves through words. It is so fulfilling when I can share emotions with someone just when they see a work I’ve made or when we’re dancing with everyone in the club. There’s a connection being established that you cannot see.
“Who would be my dream collaborator? No surprises, since I’m a drainer, that would be Bladee. He just makes songs that are so perfectly timed with shit that I’m going through, it’s crazy.”
Athamae Atack is a poet who recently moved to Tamaki Makaurau. Her poetry is romantic, inspired by the work of Edgar Allan Poe and Baz Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet. She’s self-described ‘lover girl’ and ‘crafter’.
“[I’m inspired by] the lovers of the world, the carers, the artists who enrich our lives with myriad beauty. Some people must go through much darkness in order to find the light. I’ve been through it; I crawled out of that deep pit. The world tried to scar me and take away the joy of life, but I found it once more, and I always will. I persist.
“My favourite place [in Aotearoa] is the lookout above Oriental Parade in Wellington, at nighttime when the city is shining twice. Once in its splendour, and again reflected on the dark harbour waters. I gaze upon her, and I watch the arteries of my home city flow with people. I think of all the complex lives down there, some of whom I’ve loved deeply. I think about their day-to-day, their struggles, their triumphs, their grief and trauma. And I think about how much I love humanity, how much she means to me. How good it is to meet interesting individuals in every new adventure; to take on new perspectives and challenge my horizons through this vast lesson we call life.”
Kayla Rousselle is a Titirangi-based fashion designer who works with reclaimed fabric. Their work is inspired by the late great Alexander McQueen and they make sexy looks for your inner witch.
“What inspires me the most are the other creatives around me! I’m constantly in awe of what my peers create and how their minds work. I create for myself and them. I think about what I want to wear and what my peers want to wear and, from there, I let my creativity do the rest. Alexander McQueen has been a massive inspiration to me throughout the years, so if I could take a time machine back to when he was in his prime, I would choose to collaborate with him. Fashion is what I am meant to be doing. I’ve been sewing since I was 11, and I never had a backup plan.”
Caden Larsen aka Vandal and Hound is a creative director and fashion designer living in West Tamaki, his work plays on y2k pop culture, strong graphic prints and street style.
“My favourite place has to be my home in rural west Auckland, more specifically the Waitakere ranges. For me, there is no place like it, the quiet, the peace, it’s something I will never take for granted. Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) is a pretty special place spiritually, culturally and creatively, and I think West Auckland personifies these traits ten fold.
“What do I wish the world could know about me? Quite simply that we exist. I say ‘we’ because, being from New Zealand, we’re almost forgotten at the bottom of the world. We are not even included on most world maps, let alone that we are a country. This also extends into my own creative practice – exposure is always the most tricky part of creative growth.”
Tony Drent – a musician living and working in Tamaki Makaurau – describes their music as somewhere between Elliot Smith and Coil.
“Lyrically, I’m inspired by the internal, emotional worlds people live in, the stuff we can’t see: hidden desires, mental illness, bad memories, that sort of thing. I grew up in the suburbs, so the drama of everyday life was always present, but you had to do a little bit of imaginative leaping to see it. Marianne Faithfull was someone I had always secretly wished to collaborate with. Her voice brings so much authority and weight to everything she does. Some noisy and chaotic electronic music would, I think, sound great against the steadiness of her voice.”
Amber May creates leather bikinis in her Avondale studio Fast and Loose which she shares with a tattoo artist, her work is mainly sold in the USA and references classic rock chick style.
“Oh man, there are so many beautiful places in this land! I’ve always felt such a strong connection to the water here, it brings a special kind of peace and rebirth. [I’m inspired by] other creatives from times past, 80s heavy metal, vintage sleaze, old Easyrider mags and badass women. If I could collaborate with anyone it would be Wendy O. Williams, if she were still with us, RIP queen.”
Juelz Silulu is a dancer and student living in Tamaki Makaurau. He is part of the ballroom collective House of Givenchy.
Hina is part of the ballroom collective House of Givenchy, she also dances with Candee Waackers, a NZ group that practices the dancing that came out of Los Angeles’ gay clubs during the 1970s.
“I create for myself, for others to witness my performance, and for them to interpret in their own way. I create because we are blessed with bodies capable of extraordinary movement that can tell beautiful stories. I create to see my thoughts and visions come to life, portrayed and translated through myself or other dancers” – Silulu
“My favourite place in Aotearoa is most definitely the Moana. It’s cleansing to my wairua and helps me recharge my creativity. Something I wish people knew about me is that the first time I tried to buy a dress, the saleswoman didn’t want to sell it to me. Be sure to surround yourself with strong people who can support you through moments like these.” – Hina
Janina is a Multidisciplinary Artist & Curator, they work across Ritual, Self Care and Adornment and the founder of House of Afi which platforms African creators in Aotearoa
“[The thing that inspires me is] existing! Being a living, breathing vessel going through many cycles and seasons as a part of nature brings up different inspirations for me. And I am heavily inspired by my queer Black & Brown whānau, who continue to express themselves regardless of pushback and resistance. I am reminded how important our voices and stories are. I create for my younger self, who did not have access to what is available now. I create for the younger generation so they can be affirmed in who they are. I create for myself so I’m able to transmute my experiences and continue moving. I create for the community. I create for Nsamanfoc Nananom – my benevolent Ancestors.”
Rose is an environmental and animal historian, upcycling fashion designer and environmental activist. She loves hanging out with her flock of three chickens in West Tamaki.
“[I’m inspired by] punk culture and the hope that more businesses and collectives will embrace environmentalism. As an upcycler, I try to create in a way that is sustainable, this means that my method has to reflect my values. Only using discarded or used materials and reinventing them with my hands feels like the ideal way to address consumer culture and change it. I dream of a DIY world. At the moment, it feels like collaborating is a huge issue here in Aotearoa. Our current right-wing government has tried to undermine Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a document that protects the sovereignty of tangata whenua here. I think collaborating with my community in a way that protects Indigenous rights and knowledge is the most important part of my work.”
Samuel is a krump dancer who has represented Aotearoa internationally. He is part of the street dance collective XIII and regularly competes in dance battles.
“Auckland [is my favourite place in Aotearoa] because I was born and grew up here, so everything here makes me feel at home and safe. I wish the world knew more about who I am and what I can do as a dancer. I would love more people to invite me around the world so that I can travel and dance with new people.”
Visit the gallery above for more portraits from Zephyr Thomas’ series, Aotearoa Rising.
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‘Tamaki Makaurau Rising’ by Rebecca Thomas19 Images
New Zealand-born, UK-based photographer Zephyr Thomas thinks Aotearoa is in a “strange place” right now. “I think NZ can be a very selfish country,” she says. “The legacy of colonialism is really heavy, too.” It’s a reality that many people who have left the country (like me) grapple with when discussing the country they grew up in. New Zealand’s global image seems like a utopia. There are environmental policies, healthcare, and (previously) women prime ministers, but there’s also a culture of conformism. Right now, the country has the most conservative government there’s been in decades, which had proposed a controversial bill that would undermine Māori (New Zealand’s Indigenous people) rights in the Treaty of Waitangi (New Zealand’s founding document).
For Thomas, it’s the perfect moment for her photo series Tamaki Makaurau Rising, which brings together portraits of people in New Zealand’s Indigenous and anti-capitalist creative scene. “I think it’s important to profile people of all backgrounds who are offering alternative ways of living and not just conforming to the narrative of ‘get married, buy a house (if you can), have two kids’ and stay too busy to make any meaningful changes to society,” they say. “That’s what I think mainstream New Zealand promotes.” Thomas returned to Tāmaki Makaurau for three weeks at the end of 2024. While visiting family, she met one of the people in the photo series, Jules, by chance at the beach. “He happened to be standing in the one spot of golden light early evening on a spontaneous beach swimming trip,” they say. “This sort of sums up the different lifestyle you can have back home.”
After moving to London in the early 2000s, ‘desperate’ to get out of her home country, Thomas still questions if they made the right choice in leaving New Zealand. “I hope the photos represent the amazing cast of creatives, and I also hope they show that yearning romantic feeling that I have for home,” she says. The series truly was a family affair – their sister, Rosey Thomas, wrote questions for each person photographed, and Thomas cast and photographed the portrait sessions in people’s homes, outside or at memorable places from her teenage years. “I wanted to be inspired by a city that I had a lot of mixed feelings about, to ignore the parts I don’t like and focus on the creativity, resistance and freedom that makes Aotearoa special,” they say. “I think the nice thing about New Zealand is that all the non-conformists seem to know each other and can support each other offline.”
Below, we meet some of the non-conformist and anti-capitalist creatives Thomas encountered in Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand.
Mikaere Tuapawa is an artist, model and photographer who’s work explores his Maori heritage and pre-colonial gender, identity, and sexuality in Aotearoa.
Maddi Sutton is an artist, student, photographer and model. She has modelled for brands including Skims. Her photography consists of sensual explorations of the body.
“I get inspired by almost every woman I meet. Usually, catching a glance at somebody’s body inspires me to take their photograph: a bicep or maybe the way their hair catches the light. I find the second step of turning the inspiration into action more challenging. When it comes to my photographic work, I am moderately private. The nature of my work is personal, and I prefer to keep the images exclusive. I would say if the world knew me as my authentic self, that would be sufficient” – Maddi Sutton
“My tūpuna [ancestors] created art in Te Whare Rawheoro, a whare of knowledge and creativity. I’m drawn to the way art holds mauri and mana; how it documents who we are and who we were. I’m especially interested in kōrero around pre-colonial gender, identity and sexuality – how they existed before being reshaped by outside forces. I take inspiration from those who challenge narratives – Merata Mita, Angela Davis, Sylvia Wynter. Their work pushes us to think critically, to decolonise and to create on our own terms” – Mikaere Tuapawa
Abigail Dell’Avo is a Tamaki Makaurau-based photographer who also works at Studio One Toi Tū facilitating studio space for marginalised groups. Her photography work ranges from editorial to documentary, and she regularly shoots the queer nightlife of Tamaki Makaurau.
“Aotearoa is such a beautiful and magical place! I feel so lucky to live in a place where nature is always within reach, whether it’s a short walk or a drive away.
“I believe creativity is something ingrained in all of us, and when we don’t find ways to express ourselves, it can feel like a blockage in other areas of life. I love storytelling through my work, especially documenting BIPOC and queer folk. Collaboration is also a huge part of my creative practice – working alongside friends and artists I admire is such a special experience. There’s something magical about being in sync with a team, all working towards a collective vision. Going forward, I want to create without pressure – without a goal or need for external validation – just for the joy of it.”
Mariadelle ‘Abbey’ Gamit is a multidisciplinary artist working across music, illustration and 3D installations and is the co-creator of the collective All My Friends in Tamaki Makaurau. Their work currently focuses on the digital space and the blurred lines between the online and offline worlds.
“It excites and inspires me when I see others with ventures that go against the grain. It’s quite important to be steadfast in expressing yourself at the moment whilst maintaining authenticity. I create for others like me who often feel invisible, misunderstood or find it difficult to express themselves through words. It is so fulfilling when I can share emotions with someone just when they see a work I’ve made or when we’re dancing with everyone in the club. There’s a connection being established that you cannot see.
“Who would be my dream collaborator? No surprises, since I’m a drainer, that would be Bladee. He just makes songs that are so perfectly timed with shit that I’m going through, it’s crazy.”
Athamae Atack is a poet who recently moved to Tamaki Makaurau. Her poetry is romantic, inspired by the work of Edgar Allan Poe and Baz Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet. She’s self-described ‘lover girl’ and ‘crafter’.
“[I’m inspired by] the lovers of the world, the carers, the artists who enrich our lives with myriad beauty. Some people must go through much darkness in order to find the light. I’ve been through it; I crawled out of that deep pit. The world tried to scar me and take away the joy of life, but I found it once more, and I always will. I persist.
“My favourite place [in Aotearoa] is the lookout above Oriental Parade in Wellington, at nighttime when the city is shining twice. Once in its splendour, and again reflected on the dark harbour waters. I gaze upon her, and I watch the arteries of my home city flow with people. I think of all the complex lives down there, some of whom I’ve loved deeply. I think about their day-to-day, their struggles, their triumphs, their grief and trauma. And I think about how much I love humanity, how much she means to me. How good it is to meet interesting individuals in every new adventure; to take on new perspectives and challenge my horizons through this vast lesson we call life.”
Kayla Rousselle is a Titirangi-based fashion designer who works with reclaimed fabric. Their work is inspired by the late great Alexander McQueen and they make sexy looks for your inner witch.
“What inspires me the most are the other creatives around me! I’m constantly in awe of what my peers create and how their minds work. I create for myself and them. I think about what I want to wear and what my peers want to wear and, from there, I let my creativity do the rest. Alexander McQueen has been a massive inspiration to me throughout the years, so if I could take a time machine back to when he was in his prime, I would choose to collaborate with him. Fashion is what I am meant to be doing. I’ve been sewing since I was 11, and I never had a backup plan.”
Caden Larsen aka Vandal and Hound is a creative director and fashion designer living in West Tamaki, his work plays on y2k pop culture, strong graphic prints and street style.
“My favourite place has to be my home in rural west Auckland, more specifically the Waitakere ranges. For me, there is no place like it, the quiet, the peace, it’s something I will never take for granted. Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) is a pretty special place spiritually, culturally and creatively, and I think West Auckland personifies these traits ten fold.
“What do I wish the world could know about me? Quite simply that we exist. I say ‘we’ because, being from New Zealand, we’re almost forgotten at the bottom of the world. We are not even included on most world maps, let alone that we are a country. This also extends into my own creative practice – exposure is always the most tricky part of creative growth.”
Tony Drent – a musician living and working in Tamaki Makaurau – describes their music as somewhere between Elliot Smith and Coil.
“Lyrically, I’m inspired by the internal, emotional worlds people live in, the stuff we can’t see: hidden desires, mental illness, bad memories, that sort of thing. I grew up in the suburbs, so the drama of everyday life was always present, but you had to do a little bit of imaginative leaping to see it. Marianne Faithfull was someone I had always secretly wished to collaborate with. Her voice brings so much authority and weight to everything she does. Some noisy and chaotic electronic music would, I think, sound great against the steadiness of her voice.”
Amber May creates leather bikinis in her Avondale studio Fast and Loose which she shares with a tattoo artist, her work is mainly sold in the USA and references classic rock chick style.
“Oh man, there are so many beautiful places in this land! I’ve always felt such a strong connection to the water here, it brings a special kind of peace and rebirth. [I’m inspired by] other creatives from times past, 80s heavy metal, vintage sleaze, old Easyrider mags and badass women. If I could collaborate with anyone it would be Wendy O. Williams, if she were still with us, RIP queen.”
Juelz Silulu is a dancer and student living in Tamaki Makaurau. He is part of the ballroom collective House of Givenchy.
Hina is part of the ballroom collective House of Givenchy, she also dances with Candee Waackers, a NZ group that practices the dancing that came out of Los Angeles’ gay clubs during the 1970s.
“I create for myself, for others to witness my performance, and for them to interpret in their own way. I create because we are blessed with bodies capable of extraordinary movement that can tell beautiful stories. I create to see my thoughts and visions come to life, portrayed and translated through myself or other dancers” – Silulu
“My favourite place in Aotearoa is most definitely the Moana. It’s cleansing to my wairua and helps me recharge my creativity. Something I wish people knew about me is that the first time I tried to buy a dress, the saleswoman didn’t want to sell it to me. Be sure to surround yourself with strong people who can support you through moments like these.” – Hina
Janina is a Multidisciplinary Artist & Curator, they work across Ritual, Self Care and Adornment and the founder of House of Afi which platforms African creators in Aotearoa
“[The thing that inspires me is] existing! Being a living, breathing vessel going through many cycles and seasons as a part of nature brings up different inspirations for me. And I am heavily inspired by my queer Black & Brown whānau, who continue to express themselves regardless of pushback and resistance. I am reminded how important our voices and stories are. I create for my younger self, who did not have access to what is available now. I create for the younger generation so they can be affirmed in who they are. I create for myself so I’m able to transmute my experiences and continue moving. I create for the community. I create for Nsamanfoc Nananom – my benevolent Ancestors.”
Rose is an environmental and animal historian, upcycling fashion designer and environmental activist. She loves hanging out with her flock of three chickens in West Tamaki.
“[I’m inspired by] punk culture and the hope that more businesses and collectives will embrace environmentalism. As an upcycler, I try to create in a way that is sustainable, this means that my method has to reflect my values. Only using discarded or used materials and reinventing them with my hands feels like the ideal way to address consumer culture and change it. I dream of a DIY world. At the moment, it feels like collaborating is a huge issue here in Aotearoa. Our current right-wing government has tried to undermine Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a document that protects the sovereignty of tangata whenua here. I think collaborating with my community in a way that protects Indigenous rights and knowledge is the most important part of my work.”
Samuel is a krump dancer who has represented Aotearoa internationally. He is part of the street dance collective XIII and regularly competes in dance battles.
“Auckland [is my favourite place in Aotearoa] because I was born and grew up here, so everything here makes me feel at home and safe. I wish the world knew more about who I am and what I can do as a dancer. I would love more people to invite me around the world so that I can travel and dance with new people.”
Visit the gallery above for more portraits from Zephyr Thomas’ series, Aotearoa Rising.
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