Auckland City Libraries holds a collection of some 2000 glass plate negatives of scenic views of New Zealand, from Northland to Stewart Island. The photographs show small rural towns and large cities, street scenes, gardens, buildings and beaches all captured on camera in the early part of the 20th century.

Most of the negatives in the collection were taken by Frederick George Radcliffe. Born in Liverpool, England in 1863, Radcliffe ventured to New Zealand in the 1890s, where he took up farming. But his interest soon turned to photography, and he rapidly acquired a reputation as an exceptional scenic photographer. For 20 years, he toured the country taking photographs, and from 1909, with the help of his wife and one of his daughters, he operated a successful postcard business from his home in Whangarei. He died in 1923.

The collection was acquired by the Library before 1975, although its actual provenance is unknown. This exhibition shows a sample of photographs printed from this extensive collection, and allows us to view New Zealand as it was almost 100 years ago.

Start the virtual exhibition.

Passengers arriving on a steamer at Waiwera Wharf. Waiwera Beach and the Waiwera Hot Springs Hotel are seen in the distance.