Lake A

Lake Alice, Rangitikei NZ, Sept 2012: Another drive-by the infamous Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital. I was watched closely by a number of people on the site, but with the aid of a telephoto lens grabbed a few long range shots. Most of the buildings seem to be gone or in the process of being demolished. […]

Home

Whanganui, New Zealand, Sept 2012: This former Hospital and rest home in Wanganui was closed in 2003. The buildings remain in fairly good order despite spots of vandalism. It’s quite a large facility with nice grounds and location right on the Whanganui river. It’s current status and future is unknown…

Coolstore

Patea, Taranaki NZ, Sept 2012: Revisited the abandoned Patea coolstore recently. At it’s height it stored and chilled cheeses from the area, and meat from the adjacent Patea Freezing works… Situated right on the bank of the Patea river, freight was loaded directly onto ships for national redistribution and export… At over a century old- […]

Purnell House

Whanganui, New Zealand, Sept 2012: From the little I know, Purnell House was originally the accomodation ward for the nearby Wanganui Highschool. Today I’m not sure of it’s use, though it does seem to be semi occupied and has definately seen better days.

Awatuna

South Taranaki, NZ, Aug 2012: Awatuna Dairy Factory- one of many that dot the Taranaki landscape. Before the advent of the milk tanker and the colossal Fonterra factory near Hawera, Whareroa, these milk factories were the lifeline of Taranaki dairy farmers. Spaced at roughly five miles apart, they allowed local farmers easy delivery of milk […]

Turuturumōkai

Hawera, Taranaki, NZ June 2012: Turuturumokai is a former Maori pā (fortifified village) situated just outside the South Taranaki town of Hawera. Originally there were three pā linked together with a population of around 400 people. In the 16th century there was an attack on Turuturu Mokai by a neighbouring pa. They failed with grave consequences, […]

W.Sky

Fort Ballance, Wellington NZ, August 2012: A long exposure/merged image from a few nights ago. The light streak is from a small plane- light pollution and digital noise make up the rest. Film is so much better for shooting long exposures at night. Digital sensors “heat up” and create hot and burnt out pixels…

Ballance

Miramar, Wellington, New Zealand, Nov 2011: Fort Ballance was a coastal artillery battery constructed in the mid 1880’s to defend Wellington from a naval attack. In the aftermath of the Crimean War- there was a real fear (the “Russian Scare”) that New Zealand might come under a naval attack from Russia, or another hostile power… […]

Beaufort

Beaufort Castle, Lebanon, November 2005: The Crusader fortress of Beaufort Castle- constructed in the 12th century- has been the focus for countless battles and the home of many occupiers over the centuries… Beaufort (French for “beautiful fortress”) sits atop a 300 meter cliff which declines steeply to the Litani River. Its commanding location, with views […]