MOTHER

Comissioned by I Love Avondale

As I started meeting and photographing the families in this series, I became aware of the lifelines entwined into Avondale. Generations of families have walked the paths of this land, creating an intricate web of stories, lifetimes and legacies. I witnessed the anchor Avondale has provided to the families that inhabit this space. Every inch of this place is alive and drips history. Avondale is more than a suburb or neighbourhood; it is home to opportunity and connection while being a thriving hub of diverse heritage and culture. What a beautiful place to call home.

To the mothers that I had the honour of photographing. Thank you for letting me into your lives and not only showing me but sharing with me your definition of motherhood. Through you, I have seen strength, power, kindness, dedication, courage and, most of all, love.

Since photographing this series in 2023, we’ve lost two incredible women featured in it. I dedicate this work to Simone and Michelle.

Abhi

Pania // Our family have lived in Avondale for 49 years now, and in that time, we have created so many memories together in this neighbourhood. Some of my best memories of my daughters are of them hanging out at their grandparents' house and cooking

Pania // Our family have lived in Avondale for 49 years now, and in that time, we have created so many memories together in this neighbourhood. Some of my best memories of my daughters are of them hanging out at their grandparents' house and cooking fried bread with their Nana. I have four now adult children between 20 and 28 years old. I love being a mum.

My children have been the most honest and best teachers in my life. Together we navigated the different stages from being a first-time mum to a mum with more experience. My hope for my daughters' is that they live authentic, long, happy and healthy l

My children have been the most honest and best teachers in my life. Together we navigated the different stages from being a first-time mum to a mum with more experience. My hope for my daughters' is that they live authentic, long, happy and healthy lives. I hope they take the time to make memories with whānau and friends. I want them to live proudly as Māori here in Aotearoa and abroad.

Lucy // Avondale has a rich whakapapa around their gardens and kai producing, plus my own tūpuna from Ngāpuhi were gardeners, so it felt right to make our own here. It makes me feel connected to Te Taiao, something I also want Kitty to feel.

Lucy // Avondale has a rich whakapapa around their gardens and kai producing, plus my own tūpuna from Ngāpuhi were gardeners, so it felt right to make our own here. It makes me feel connected to Te Taiao, something I also want Kitty to feel.

I want Kitty to stand tall in her Māoritanga. For her to exist in an Aotearoa that lives and embodies the principles of Te Tiriti. And as we have witnessed and experienced recently, I hope that the pressure of the world's environmental issues does no

I want Kitty to stand tall in her Māoritanga. For her to exist in an Aotearoa that lives and embodies the principles of Te Tiriti. And as we have witnessed and experienced recently, I hope that the pressure of the world's environmental issues does not weigh too heavily on her generation's shoulders - this is a problem they had no part in creating.

Maria // I have 6 mokopuna with my eldest now 15 years and my youngest 3 years with their two families having moved from Avondale some years ago while my youngest son still has a connection to Avondale through friends and business.

Maria // I have 6 mokopuna with my eldest now 15 years and my youngest 3 years with their two families having moved from Avondale some years ago while my youngest son still has a connection to Avondale through friends and business.

Catalina // The best lesson my mother has taught me is how to be kind and considerate of others. The biggest lesson she taught me was commitment and always showing up. If there were only three words left in the world that I could say to her, it would

Catalina // The best lesson my mother has taught me is how to be kind and considerate of others. The biggest lesson she taught me was commitment and always showing up. If there were only three words left in the world that I could say to her, it would be: I love you.

Simone // Our story in Avondale began in 1968 when my grandparents bought land on Mead Street. In 1969 he built this house. Our bloodline has lived in this house ever since, almost like our generation's backdrop.

Simone // Our story in Avondale began in 1968 when my grandparents bought land on Mead Street. In 1969 he built this house. Our bloodline has lived in this house ever since, almost like our generation's backdrop.

A core memory I’ll always cherish with them is walking to and from my parents' house to my nanas on Mead Street. Each time, they are greeted with a delicious treat from my nana. Family lunches at my nana's house are another highlight. We still gather

A core memory I’ll always cherish with them is walking to and from my parents' house to my nanas on Mead Street. Each time, they are greeted with a delicious treat from my nana. Family lunches at my nana's house are another highlight. We still gather there today for every occasion.

Ann // Becoming a mother is a life-changing event. Going into motherhood, I chose to put my career as an installation and performance artist on the back burner and became a stay-at-home mum. When my daughter Manuka was 18 months old, our family moved

Ann // Becoming a mother is a life-changing event. Going into motherhood, I chose to put my career as an installation and performance artist on the back burner and became a stay-at-home mum. When my daughter Manuka was 18 months old, our family moved from Viet Nam to Aotearoa New Zealand.

Initially, we lived on Great Barrier Island, a place Manuka fondly called “paradise” as it has sandy beaches and the tranquillity of rural life. Our life in Avondale started in 2018. We love this neighbourhood, especially its creative vibe. Many peop

Initially, we lived on Great Barrier Island, a place Manuka fondly called “paradise” as it has sandy beaches and the tranquillity of rural life. Our life in Avondale started in 2018. We love this neighbourhood, especially its creative vibe. Many people we know in our community are involved in some creative practice.

Ning // No one prepares you for motherhood. It is tender, funny and raw, sometimes all at once. Motherhood bends time: it shows you the coordinates of your past and how you fit into the long line of your ancestors. It also helps you see into the futu

Ning // No one prepares you for motherhood. It is tender, funny and raw, sometimes all at once. Motherhood bends time: it shows you the coordinates of your past and how you fit into the long line of your ancestors. It also helps you see into the future, into the tomorrows of tomorrows that the next generation will inherit. You don’t need to be a mother to experience motherhood. All you need is the desire to leave behind something better than what you found.

When I think of my son’s future and our family’s future in Aotearoa, I see Avondale, resplendent with her colourful people, her traffic-stopping Sunday market and her iconic town spider with occasional sneaker hanging off her web. I treasure the simp

When I think of my son’s future and our family’s future in Aotearoa, I see Avondale, resplendent with her colourful people, her traffic-stopping Sunday market and her iconic town spider with occasional sneaker hanging off her web. I treasure the simple pleasures of everyday life here. Our evening strolls to the Whau River, Pokémon cards from the two-dollar shops, and the friendly library that feels like a second home.

Michelle // The biggest lesson Mum has taught me is how to be optimistic. She always told me, “Don’t forget to look around the next corner. There may be something new to discover”. Those words have resonated with me throughout many situations.

Michelle // The biggest lesson Mum has taught me is how to be optimistic. She always told me, “Don’t forget to look around the next corner. There may be something new to discover”. Those words have resonated with me throughout many situations.

Billy // I feel great pride when telling people our girls were born and raised in Avondale. This suburb will forever be the place they call home, with many beautiful family memories. Avondale has given us a house with affordable rent. We learned to p

Billy // I feel great pride when telling people our girls were born and raised in Avondale. This suburb will forever be the place they call home, with many beautiful family memories. Avondale has given us a house with affordable rent. We learned to parent here. We endured a pandemic here. Our girls took their first steps in Avondale. We've loved and lost here. Both Dallas and Tui's first word was "duck," now that's saying something!