Wairarapa shops and towns feature in a new book of photographs by an award-winning author.
Photographs taken in Featherston, Greytown and Carterton are included in The Shops, by writer Steve Braunias and photographer Peter Black.
“The Wairarapa proved rich pickings for our project,” said Mr Braunias, who also published the book.
“It’s a very scenic part of New Zealand and part of the scenery are everyday sights which might be overlooked, such as the startling fire-engine red paintjob at the Southend Dairy.
“Other photos from the area had that special quality of light which is unique to Wairarapa.
“The very final photo in the book, to the side of a service station in Greytown, was chosen as a perfect way to end the book – there’s a lovely sunset in the distance, but the main part of the photo is taken up by the service station, because one of the book’s themes is our recognition of the hard work that goes into all trades and businesses.”
Mr Braunias has written a personal essay about family shopping in New Zealand, and Black has contributed 44 colour photographs of shops throughout New Zealand.
“We see the book as a quiet celebration of shops in small towns – their beauty and their charm, and their place in the community.”
It has been named as one of the best art books of the year at the New Zealand Herald.
Black is well-known for his exhibitions of photographer at art galleries throughout New Zealand.
Mr Braunias won the national book award for best book of non-fiction in 2013 for his book Civilisation.
The Shops is published by Luncheon Sausage Books and retails for $40.
It reached the number two spot on the best-seller chart at Unity Books in Wellington.
