A long hot summer just passed us by...

Muriwai Beach, 2-to-3 foot and glassy from our deck

...while Mother Earth ravaged places close to us and dear to our hearts: Christchurch, Queensland and of course, Japan, have had to endure unfathomable difficulties recently. Here at Muriwai, on Auckland's West Coast, La Nina has delivered a pristine summer of gorgeous days, good surf and much loved family and friends. It has been surreal to watch, read and assimilate the images and information that has accompanied the devastation whilst we were experiencing a classic New Zealand summer, in Auckland. It has also been humbling. Every New Zealander has been affected by the earthquake in Christchurch and deeply moved to try and help. We have all been inspired by the strength of the people of Canterbury and their response and resilience. A great New Zealand trait.

Support, and more exactly, money is going to be required for some time yet to get the new Christchurch up and running. On Tuesday 5th of April Black Magazine is presenting an event featuring the combined talents of Salasai and Nick Von K Jewellery, a component of which will raise funds for the Christchurch Earthquake Red Cross fund. It will be a night of films, performance and an exhibition of photographs by Russ Flatt that will be silent-auctioned on the night, with the proceeds going to Christchurch. It is invite only but we will cover it here on Blacklog and our Facebook page. Here is a Muriwai sunset at the end of the golden summer...we feel very grateful...

Black #14: Adam Custins shoots portraits

Gregor McGregor, his wife Pura and their son George, 1910
Photo: Frank. J. Denton, Whanganui

We are shooting portraits this issue with photographer Adam Custins, based upon the legacy of Rachael's great-great grandmother Te Pura McGregor and Rachael's ancestry, or whakapapa. We have realised the story in a modern-retro style with Maori, European and Chinese models.  Rachael is also Samoan, German, Irish and Scottish in her bloodline so this shoot is all about representing the multi-cultural bloodlines that abound in Aotearoa. Adam has been shooting on large format Polaroid film and to date the models have been; Yasmine @ Clyne, Danielle @ 62, Eve @ August, Seon @ Clyne, and Henry and Grace.


Te Pura Manihera was a chieftainess of Ngā Poutama at Matahiwi pa, forty miles north of Whanganui and the daughter of  Te Manihera who married Scotsman Gregor McGregor. She was the first Maori woman to receive an O.B.E (Order of the British Empire) and often led the haka for her tribe, sometimes in battle, in the late 19th Century. Later that night she would be comfortable integrating with the new settlers in a stylish Victorian ensemble and was capable of eloquent conversation. In one of numerous historical passages about Te Pura she is described as follows; "Pura was always beautifully dressed and never lost her grace and charm. She always walked slowly. At the same time she retained her skill in leading the haka, especially when it was one of welcome, and immediately afterwards, with all the dignity of true Maori aristocracy, she could adorn any (European) drawing-room, knowing instinctively what to do." Below is a photo of Te Pura (centre, with mere) and group at Tesla Studios, Whanganui, circa 1900...look out for the modern interpretation featuring Kiri and Jason Nathan, Ann Demeulemeester, Comme Des Garcons, Therese Rawsthorne, Wunderkammer Jewellery and more....Te Manihera, Te Pura, Maata, Te Huiakama, Hori, Rachael...arohanui..x

You go uncle Joe

Image: prodesign.co.nz

Very proud of family this week. Joseph Churchward is a living legend of type having created no less than 654 fonts - all hand drawn in the old style - over a prodigious career littered with milestones. Joseph is Rachael's cousin, although her arm of the family calls him 'uncle.' This week he was presented with the Queens Service Medal as only the most prolific single type designer in the world should be. Joseph was born in Samoa but is proudly Wellingtonian and a super lovely man to boot. Here's the clip of the One News piece this week, you will see what we mean. Congratulations Joseph!