Inside Stories: From the South – A photographic exhibition by tamariki

Inside Stories: From the South is the latest photographic exhibition in Parliament’s art gallery, Te Papakura, featuring photos taken by tamariki as part of a free photography programme of the same name.

The exhibition highlights the creative voices and unique perspective of tamariki, celebrating their curiosity, creativity and sense of place. It offers a chance to see rural and regional communities through the eyes of young people, and to appreciate the stories found in the everyday moments they chose to capture.

The Inside Stories: From the South programme took place in the Grey, Buller, Selwyn and Ashburton districts in the South Island in 2024 and 2025. Over 180 students in nine schools took part in the programme.

The programme saw photography workshop participants ‘free roaming’ with cameras and taking part in a community exhibition and pictorial archive. Children learnt about photography, storytelling, curating and exhibiting, and were encouraged to explore and look more closely at the world around them.

As well as providing tamariki with a safe photographic platform to express themselves, Inside Stories offered a unique perspective of rural and regional neighbourhoods as they are documented by young people.

“I enjoyed getting a different perspective of things and taking a small bit out of a big picture,” says Addison, a participant in the programme.

“I got to look at things that I don’t really look at. Photos can be interesting,” says Micah, another participant.

The free‑roaming workshops gave tamariki the freedom to follow their curiosity and photograph what mattered to them.

“I enjoyed the freedom of taking any photo of whatever you want,” says Catarina.

“You get to explore all the different places you can take them,” adds Dillon.

For Ellie, it was the sense of adventure that stood out most: “I loved taking photos from high places. It just felt really cool.”

Visiting the exhibition:

The exhibition is being held in Parliament's art gallery Te Papakura (EW 2.4, Beehive) from Friday 24 April – Sunday 30 August.

The exhibition space is open to the public Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am – 4pm. 

You can also book here to take a general tour of Parliament, and visit the art gallery while you’re here!