This exhibition brings together, for the first time, a selection of key photographic works made during and after Dr Fiona Pardington’s time residing on Waiheke Island. It includes her iconic bird, still life and hei tiki series. Pardington uses both the camera and exhibition to reveal and make public that which is often hidden or unseen. Many of the works selected focus on the still-life format, some recording Museum taonga (Māori ancestral treasures) and other objects of national significance, while others focus on personal collections and arrangements.

Fiona Pardington is of Māori (Ngāi Tahu, Kati Mamoe and Ngāti Kahungunu) and Scottish (Clan Cameron of Erracht) descent. She is a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit and was named a Knight (Chevalier) in the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres) by the French Prime Minister in 2016. Pardington holds a Doctorate in Fine Arts from the University of Auckland and has been selected to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at La Biennale di Venezia in 2026. Pardington was selected by the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, who were named as The Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa’s Biennale delivery partner.

Pardington says being asked to exhibit in Aotearoa New Zealand’s National Pavillion is an unexpected and extraordinary moment in her career. “I am deeply honoured and humbled by this incredible opportunity to represent Aotearoa at the Venice Biennale. I am profoundly grateful that my work is appreciated like this and for all the people furiously paddling the waka who have brought me to this point. Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini,” she says.

This exhibition has been curated by artist Richard Maloy for Waiheke Art Gallery and is presented in partnership with STARKWHITE.