Photographing Early

The earliest photo of Auckland on record was taken around 1857 – marking the beginning of landscape photography in the city.

This small exhibition records changes over time to the shoreline of the Waitematā, and immediate surrounds through historical Auckland photography.

It also takes you on a walk around Auckland’s CBD. Look at the street corners, shop fronts and alleyways in the present day and compare them with those from the 1860s.

Explore Auckland and identify current locations that are barely recognisable today and see the visible changes to the 3500 acres of land on which Apihai Te Kawau of Ngāti Whātua invited William Hobson to establish Auckland.