Skip to product information
1 of 1
Auckland University Press

A Different Light: First Photographs of Aotearoa, Book

A Different Light: First Photographs of Aotearoa, Book

Regular price $65.00 NZD
Regular price Sale price $65.00 NZD
Sale Sold out
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

A Different Light: First Photographs of Aotearoa

Edited by Catherine Hammond and Shaun Higgins

In 1848, two decades after a French inventor developed a process to capture images on metal plates, photography arrived in Aotearoa. How did these early photographs reflect Māori and Pākehā views of themselves and each other? Were these first images true-to-life or misleading? What do they tell us about the changing landscape of Aotearoa?

From the 1870s, when horses carried large photographic plates, to the arrival of the Kodak camera in the late 1880s, New Zealand’s first photographs depict a wide range of scenes: from kings and governors to geysers and slums, from battles to celebrations. They capture formal studio portraits and candid moments in backyards, gardens, and homes.

A Different Light showcases the remarkable and extensive photographic collections from three major research libraries – Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum, Alexander Turnbull Library, and Hocken Collections Uare Taoka o Hākena – and features a touring exhibition of some of the earliest photographs of Aotearoa.

Sample Here >>

Publication: April 2024
Pages: 284
Format: Hardback

Shipping & Delivery

NZ Shipping

  • Free delivery on orders over $500, with some exclusions for large or framed original artwork
  • $14.90 - orders under $500
  • $8.90 - A4 prints & small items
  • $49.00 - large or framed original artwork
  • All our artworks are packaged with care and shipped to you
  • 3-5 working day delivery

If you're getting an item couriered within New Zealand, it'll be delivered to your specified address within 3-5 working days. For rural deliveries, please allow an extra 2-3 days. If the product is out of stock, no worries, we'll keep you informed about availability, and delivery times, or provide a refund. 

The estimated delivery time for preordered items is 15 to 25 working days.

For national deliveries, we use various courier services, so delivery times may vary. For international deliveries, please note that the recipient may be responsible for duties and taxes imposed by the destination country.

Handling & Care

A2 and larger prints, as well as hand-painted artworks, are shipped in sturdy, high-quality art tubes. Each piece is thoroughly checked and securely packed before it leaves our studio. 

When opening your tube, please take extra care—prints can be delicate. We recommend taking your artwork straight to your framer and letting them handle it for the best results.

Once your artwork is in your hands, we can’t take responsibility for any damage caused during handling.

Australia Shipping

We only ship unframed prints. Shipping rates for unframed prints.

  • Prints A4 - A2: $48  
  • Prints A1 and larger: $78  
  • Rates include packaging and insurance

For international orders, please note that duties and taxes may apply at the destination. Large or framed prints may take a little longer to deliver, as we take extra care to ensure they arrive safely. Orders placed before 12 noon, Monday to Friday, are usually dispatched the same day (excluding public holidays), except for preorder items. The estimated delivery time for preordered items is 15 to 25 working days. Shipping costs are based on the size and weight of your order, but if the freight charge seems high, just get in touch and we’ll happily check it for you.

Once your order is on its way, you’ll receive a track-and-trace number to follow its journey. All deliveries require a signature; if no one is available, the courier will leave a card with collection details. If your parcel arrives damaged, please let us know within seven days so we can arrange a replacement or refund.

Thank you for choosing Look NZ! For any questions, feel free to email us at  hello@looknz.artWe’re here to help make your shopping experience smooth and enjoyable.

View full details

See More By Auckland University Press