01 May 2025
The Pacific Arts Nature Residencies is a four-week opportunity for experienced Pasifika photographers to capture the stories of Aotearoa’s rural communities.
Piloted in 2025, two residencies were co-designed by Creative New Zealand staff and local communities in the Upper Waimakariri and Wai Wānaka catchments. The initiative between art and environment was supported by Aotearoa New Zealand Catchment Communities, the national body supporting local communities dedicated to sustainable land and water management.
The opportunities align with two priorities areas under the Pacific Arts Strategy 2023–2028, climate change and building strong networks and support systems for artists and their communities.
Photographers Raymond Sagapolutele from Auckland, was based in the Upper Waimakariri Catchment, and Nick Netzler from Wellington, undertook his residency in Wai Wānaka. Both senior Pacific artists are alumni of the Creative New Zealand Pacific Arts partnership with US based VII Academy promoting and training world-class photojournalists around the world.
A catchment is an area where rainfall gathers and flows through soil and streams into rivers, lakes, and wetlands — important systems that support people and nature.
The Upper Waimakariri Catchment, in the South Island’s high country, spans about 145,000 hectares, with the Waimakariri River flowing through it. The Wānaka area is part of the wider Upper Clutha catchment, where communities are also working together to protect the health of their waterways and ecosystems.
The initiative incorporates photography and digital storytelling to highlight the resilience and renewal of freshwater ecosystems, sustainable land use, and biodiversity.
Ben Ensor, Chair of Aotearoa New Zealand Catchment Communities (ANZCC) is excited to collaborate with Creative New Zealand Pacific arts and the catchment communities.
“Each catchment group is addressing complex issues such as water quality, climate change and biodiversity that are specific to their area, and they are doing so through community-led initiatives. ANZCC is looking forward to supporting these stories being shared to a broader audience,” says Ben.
Raymond Sagapolutele saw similarities between the Waimakariri community and the values he was raised with.
“It’s been quite an experience being a part of the whenua and community in the valley. My time here has given me so much perspective on our own Pacific community and their connection to the agricultural sector here in Aotearoa. The values of alofa and ‘aiga that mean so much to us as Samoans can be seen here among the families that call the high country their home. I’ve absolutely loved this project,” says Raymond.
“There have been a lot of realisations for me as an artist and a Samoan that have come about from being in this community. I have been well cared for here and all doors have been open for me to explore the valley.”
Nick Netzler was in awe of the Wanaka landscape and saw first-hand how the community looked after the land and its resources.
“This was a whole new experience for me. As someone from urban Wellington, spending time with the Wai Wānaka community really opened my eyes. I was surprised by how familiar it felt like working with whānau. The way we came together and valued the environment felt very natural for me from a Pasifika worldview,” says Nick.
“I was in awe of the beautiful Wānaka landscape and the community’s efforts to protect it. They’re doing all this research on measuring nitrate levels and micros. There were some things I had no idea existed! As a photographer, it was a big learning curve seeing how hands-on and practical the work is to keep the waterways healthy and flowing.”
Erolia Ifopo, Mana Pasifika Navigator managed the initiative and has been excited about strengthening the relationships between artists, local communities, the rivers and the whenua.
“This pilot has been about bringing Pasifika artists and regional communities together to tell real, grounded stories through image and word. These stories won’t just stay local — they’ll reach wider audiences, sparking interest in sustainability, climate action, and the relationships between people and the environment,” says Erolia.
The 2025 project, selected photographs and stories will be shared widely following its completion in June 2025 following a review and debrief with everyone involved.
“We hope to run this initiative again next year with other catchment communities while strengthening our existing partnerships and collaborations from this year’s pilot. We also want to thank our partners, and everyone involved for their hospitality and making our visiting artists feel welcomed and working together with shared values, generosity and goals,” she says.
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