Adrian Malloch Photography

I had all but forgotten the joy of swimming. Those long Summer holidays of my childhood planned almost completely immersed in water.⁠⠀ At the neighbour's pool, usually just my sister and I, or at the Lido community pool in Palmerston North – lost in a sea of screaming children, or at the NZ Army-base pool at Maha Sarakham in the remote north-east of Thailand – where before we could swim each day, we had to clear snakes like Cobras and Kraits from the water.⁠⠀⁠⠀ I recently re-discovered the delight of swimming underwater. Not the endless lengths of the fitness-focused. Simply the sheer joy and freedom of being in a different element, where time suspends and the mind stills.⁠⠀⁠⠀ This series of photographs was commissioned by Metro magazine for the cover and a photo essay of six double-page spreads in the 2019/20 Summer edition.⠀⁠⠀ I am not an underwater photography specialist. I didn't even have an underwater camera-housing but I leapt at an assignment in which the brief was to look for a summer-y, joyous spirit.⁠⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀ I promptly bought an underwater camera housing with dome and did a lot of prep.⁠⠀⁠⠀ The shoot was done over three days in early December 2019 at Point Erin Pools in Herne Bay, Auckland.⁠⠀⁠⠀ The pool's management and staff were brilliant, informing the swimmers over the P.A. that I was there taking photographs and encouraged them to be involved.⁠⠀⁠⠀ And most of all, nearly everyone I asked was happy to be photographed just doing what they were doing.⁠

Over two months during a busy orchestra schedule, the musicians of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra invited documentary photographer Adrian Malloch to go behind the scenes, to reveal the moments, interactions and stories of their professional lives, beyond the view of the concert-going public.

A ballet class for the over 60s in Onehunga, Auckland, New Zealand. Published in North & South magazine, July 2018 View story on noted.co.nz at: http://bit.ly/2W8WO7C

Tā moko, the traditional Māori tattooing on the face is a tāonga (treasure) to Māori for which the purpose and applications are sacred. Every moko contains ancestral/tribal messages specific to the wearer. These messages tell the story of the wearer's family and tribal affiliations, and their place in these social structures. A moko’s message would also contain the wearer’s ‘value’ by way of their genealogy, and their knowledge and standing in their social level. Five years in the making: Roger Te Tai's tā moko. 2009: Te Hana. The preparation; Roger and Sally ready themselves for the following day's tattoo, only to find it has been postponed. 2010: Queenstown. The wedding; families come together. 2012: Whangarei. The Tattoo by Dave Hart of Native Ink. 2014: Ohiwa. Home; Roger Te Tai wears the tā moko.

A series of photo-essays, commissioned by Metro magazine between 2006 and 2010, that examines Aucklanders of all walks of life in their subculture groups. Sky City Casino hosts a ladies-only poker tournament to encourage female participation in the male dominated game. Only 27 women pay the $600 buy-in so it is hardly a high stakes enterprise but despite that, interest and tension remains hiah for the seven and a half hours it takes to find a winner. At the tables, play is halting at first but then settles into its own rhythm. Partners and supporters hover in the background, peering over the shoulders of the players, their faces and body language revealing more about the cards than they probably realise. As the players fall away, so does the banter, until there are only two remaining at the table. Michelle, a quiet and patient poker player, and the flamboyant and impetuous Youn Sun. It is another tension-filled hour before Michelle’s patience wins the $600 purse.

A series of photo-essays commissioned by Metro magazine between 2006 and 2010 that examines Aucklanders of all walks of life in their subculture groups. The Russian club is a small bar underneath a Newmarket carpark where native Russians gather and socialise before heading out into Auckland's nightlife. Most gather outside to socialise first, sharing their cigarettes and furiously texting their yet to arrive friends. Inside, the music is pumping '80s disco and the bar is doing steady business. But it is all just a prequel; at midnight everyone disperses to the clubs and bars in the city where the real action happens.

A series of photo-essays commissioned by Metro magazine between 2006 and 2010 that examines Aucklanders of all walks of life in their subculture groups. The Pukekohe Car Club holds an invitation meet and hot lap at the Pukekohe Park Raceway. Photographed for a Subculture feature in Metro Magazine.

A series of photo-essays commissioned by Metro magazine between 2006 and 2010 that examines Aucklanders of all walks of life in their subculture groups. Aspiring teenage girls sign up for a weekend course to learn the ways of modeling at Red Eleven Model Agency’s Model Camp. The introduction to catwalk technique quickly reveals to the girls that being a model can be much more difficult than it appears. As the course continues, girls learn how to pose in front of a camera, make up techniques and the personal skills needed to make it in the world of modeling.

A series of photo-essays commissioned by Metro magazine between 2006 and 2010 that examines Aucklanders of all walks of life in their subculture groups. The annual Rosedale Ribbon Day is much anticipated, with young pony club members spending hours every evening in the run-up to the weekend, practising and training with their mounts. On the morning of the event, entrants and their families arrive at dawn, immediately launching into cleaning and preparing the horses and riders. Competition starts at 9-30am with dressage events. There are points for comportment, obedience, different gaits and egg-and-spoon races. The afternoon is for jumping over fences and barrels. In the younger rings, every judge worth their salt will make sure each rider gets at least one ribbon, offering words of encouragement and advice. Competition in the senior events is fierce with some riders falling hard in the showjumping, but still showing brave faces and smiles at the good-natured jibes when they complete their round.

A series of photo-essays commissioned by Metro magazine between 2006 and 2010 that examines Aucklanders of all walks of life in their subculture groups. St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox church in Beach haven, North Shore, Auckland is the social and spiritual centre for 65 Middle Eastern and African families. Father Bishoy Mekhaiel blesses the church and its sacred places with incense, deacons read gospels and the congregaton filters in, the women on the right, the men on the left. Proffered bread, baked and prepared by one of the deacons is chosen for the communion. Only the most perfect loaf can be transubstantiated intot he body of Christ. More blessings and readings and then the congregation disperses to separate areas for men and women to receive holy communion. The ceremony is completed when Father Bishoy blesses the congregation with holy water.

A series of photo-essays commissioned by Metro magazine between 2006 and 2010 that examines Aucklanders of all walks of life in their subculture groups. A group of free-running enthusiasts climb, jump and run through the Auckland CBD, making friends, drawing admiration from onlookers and the occasional bewildered reaction.  Parkour is a non-competitive sport where practitioners aim to get from one place to another in the most efficient way possible, harnessing their own momentum and using their surroundings to propel themselves forward.  This Auckland group trains regularly as an ad hoc gathering of enthusiasts, at first warming up on the steps and ledges of Aotea Square before swarming across the urban landscape to Auckland University where the security guard does not appreciate their “disrespectful” leaping over tables and chairs.  They regroup at a North Harbour school where a public obstacle course gets a thorough workout.

A series of photo-essays, commissioned by Metro magazine between 2006 and 2010, that examines Aucklanders of all walks of life in their subculture groups. Saturday night at the Lynfield YMCA in West Auckland is a magnet for the fans of Impact Pro Wrestling’s unlikely heroes: Vinny (The One) Dunn, Chuck (The Time Machine) Warner and Savage (No Name) Beast. The crowd is amped from the start as The One and The Machine take their choreographed mutual animosity out in the bleachers. It’s all business, pageantry and a touch of mythology in the ring as the action becomes increasingly bizarre. Savage Beast sprinkles a victim with salt, pepper and tomato sauce before taking a large ‘bite’ of his leg. The crowd laps it up, never tiring of the wrestlers’ antics.

A series of photo-essays commissioned by Metro magazine between 2006 and 2010 that examines Aucklanders of all walks of life in their subculture groups. The Sikh temple Gurudwara Sahib in Takanini is the venue for the popular Indian sport of Kabaddi. From early morning there is a constant stream of Sikh families pouring into the temple. A light snack served from the busy kitchen, is eaten in the communal dining room before heading upstairs to pray and listen to Sikh teachings. After the devotions it is back down to lunch and then everyone congregates around the Kabaddi field. where the two teams are preparing. Appearing like a combination of Bullrush, wrestling and rugby, Kabaddi is played by two opposing teams composed of a defensive line and a single offensive player at a time who attempts to tag one of the hand-holding defenders before getting safely back over the line before being brutally brought down by the now rampant defenders.

A series of photo-essays commissioned by Metro magazine between 2006 and 2010 that examines Aucklanders of all walks of life in their subculture groups. Young Korean Aucklanders gather in a North Shore community hall to rehearse centuries-old traditional dances and drumming. The group is called Madang Hannuri, which translates as “A Place Together”. A place to connect back to their Korean roots, but also a place for newcomers to experience and appreciate the ancient rituals. Competition to be in the group is tight.    Of the 150 aspiring performers, fewer than ten are invited to join each year.  The dancing and drumming is highly prescribed, yet there is no sheet music – every step, every rhythm and every beat must be memorised and expressed with precision and feeling.  Despite the intensity and rigour, laughter and good natured banter continues throughout the four hour rehearsal which ends with shared refreshments.

Actor Sam Neill, photographed at his Two Paddocks Vineyard in Central Otago, New Zealand, for the book, The Power of Us, published by Random House NZ, November 2012.

A selection of portraits from editorial, commercial and personal assignments

The Hillyard Hammer, Chauncy Welliver shown training and then in his fight against Moyoyo Mensah at the Corporate Box in Auckland, New Zealand. Photographed, January 2012 for a feature published in Metro magazine, April 2015..

Two assignments: Tough Bastards and Auckland's best Lawyers. Tough bastards include swim coach Jan Cameron, top cop Steve Rutherford, media boss Brent Impey, politician Judith (Crusher) Collins, CEO Michael Stiassney and unionist Matt McCarten. Lawyers include Paul Davison QC, Vehicle legal specialist Steve Cullen, John Haigh QC and Matrimonial lawyer Anne Hinton.

The Power of Us is a book that celebrates over 50 New Zealanders, from diverse fields such as science, business, writing, film, sport art and technology, including the very well known and the lesser known but equally talented. Commissioned by entrepreneur, scientist and philanthropist Sir Ray Avery, with Cameron Bennett's inspiring, surprising and thought provoking interviews, and photography by Adrian Malloch, capturing each person's strengths and vulnerabilities, it went straight into the bestseller list before selling out its first print run within three weeks of launch. Now in its third reprint, The Power of Us has continued to be a sought after book.

It seemed like a good idea at the time – From Friday dusk to Saturday dawn, photograph the people and places of the Auckland CBD. With writer James Borrowdale, we walked, observed and talked with the people of the night in what turned out to be one of Auckland's wettest nights on record. Published in Metro Magazine, May/June 2017.

Muslim refugees from Tunisia, Malaysia, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq celebrate their faith, community and family values by regularly gathering together in social occasions like this picnic in Cornwall Park, Auckland. The men arrive with warm greetings all round, sit on the communal mat and talk about their children, work and sport as all blokes are wont to do. The women, sitting a discreet distance on their own mat are animated and engaging with each other and especially with the younger children who gravitate around their mat. All the while, children run around playing tag, football and on scooters. Soon it is time for prayers. The women find somewhere more private as the men line up to make their devotions. The children quieten but continue playing, only stopping as the praying becomes more earnest. After the prayers, food is heated on the barbecue and a seemingly never-ending spread of Middle Eastern delicacies is revealed. The elders then relax and continue talking as the more youthful members of the group take up a challenge from a nearby group of picnicking Fijians for a friendly football game. – Photographed for the story, Test of Faith, written by Joanna Wane, published in North & South magazine, June 2016

A Selection of photographs from the night of the 2014 New Zealand general election at the headquarters of NZ First, The Greens, Labour and National. From a commission by The NZ Listener magazine.

Members and supporters of Auckland Iwi march toward central Auckland in a Hikoi to protest the New Zealand government's plan to create an Auckland Supercity without Maori consultation and representation. 25th May 2009

200 dogs having a great time at Barkley Manor dog daycare in Ponsonby, Auckland. Photographed for a feature on dogs and their owners for North & South magazine.

Ocean swimmers train hard at the Mt Roskill swim club, preparing for the King of the Harbour ocean swim.

The ANZAC day dawn parade, at the Auckland War Memorial Museum and Cenotaph, 25th April, 2007. Aucklanders gather to pay tribute to those who served, those who returned and especially those who didn't.

Concert photography of bands such as U2, iconic performers such as Iggy Pop and the Stooges, New Zealand icons Teeks and Hollie Smilth, and promotional season campaign photography of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra along with many other musicians and performers. Adrian Malloch has been the go-to photographer for the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra since 2005. For all of that time Adrian Malloch Photography has been proud to be a sponsor to the APO in their business partnerships programme.

A view of grass roots rugby league in New Zealand. From little-leaguers playing on a cold and wet Saturday morning at Mount Richmond Domain to the Otahuhu Leopards playing the Howick Hornets in the Fox Memorial Rugby League competition and onto the Auckland Warriors playing the Brisbane Broncos in an NRL match at Mount Smart, with the Mad Butcher Peter Leitch in good form as Rugby League ambassador.

The Ghetto. The Commune for Capitalists. The Arts Enclave. It feels like anyone who's every lived or worked centrally in Auckland knows someone who's lived here, in one of these 201 flats on the steep green flanks of Freemans Bay. Freemans Park is a convivial scatter of neat, terraced houses and three or four-storey apartment blocks, set in pretty park land. It attracts creative types: architects, designers, people working in media, and hospo. Several practicing artists live there now – but actually all sorts live there. Unusually, fully a quarter of the units are social housing; mostly Housing New Zealand-owned. The rest are either private rentalsor owner-occupied. Six-figure households live right by people on the benefit or minimum wage. – Excerpt from feature on Freemans Park by Nicola Shepheard Metro Magazine, June 2015

A photo essay on Taranaki back-country rivals Whangamomona and Toko playing in the annual Dean Cup Rugby tournament, Commissioned by North and South magazine for a feature published just before the 2011 Rugby World Cup held in Auckland, New Zealand. The Dean Cup, first played in 1907 is the World's longest running rugby tournament, It is played between the rugged and isolated hill country communities of Strathmore, Whangamomona and Toko. Also: View a photo-essay of a 2003 Dean Cup clash between Strathmore and Whangamomona in this site's Portfolio: http://www.malloch.co.nz/index/G0000fK_UNKL_lXw

A photo essay for The Taranaki Daily News of a 2003 rugby match between Whangamomona and Strathmore in the annual Dean Cup rugby tournament in Eastern Taranaki, New Zealand. The Dean Cup, first played in 1907 is the World's longest running rugby tournament, played between the rugged and isolated hill country communities of Strathmore, Whangamomona and Toko. Also: View a photo-essay of a 2010 Dean Cup clash between Toko and Whangamomona in this site's Portfolio: http://www.malloch.co.nz/index/G0000OJkeRIMebHs

Woodchopping used to be must-watch television — like Top Town, Mastermind and It’s In The Bag. But while the sport has lost its profile, it's never quite gone away. In late summer, in the small Bay of Plenty town of Katikati, a down-on-its-luck New Zealand side take on Australia… For the full award-winning story, go to this page: http://www.malloch.co.nz/p/cuttin-nthandsth (or, click on the Site Navigation icon > Published > Cuttin' for Your Country)

The 2007 Boobs on Bikes parade through Auckland streets has everyone dusting off their old cameras and pulling out their cell phones, all to make sure it really does last longer. Boobs on Bikes is a mostly annual parade of topless men and women riding on motorcycles … through the Auckland CBD. Organised by pornographer Steve Crow, the event began in Auckland in 2003 after two local women were arrested for baring their breasts in a public protest. Crow considered this to be a breach of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, which specifically prohibits discrimination of the basis of sex and Crow argued that if it is legal in New Zealand for a male to bare their chests in public, the same must apply to women. Several legal attempts to stop the parade, most notably by Auckland City Council, failed in court and the parade has been ruled legal under New Zealand legislation. The event normally precedes Crow's Erotica Lifestyles Expo, an adults-only adult lifestyles exhibition. International porn stars who travel to New Zealand for the expo are typically part of Boobs On Bikes parade. – edited excerpts from Wikipedia

The 2011 Big Day Out at Mount Smart Stadium. Photography commissioned by Auckland City Council

The APO musicians pull some moves for the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's 2016 Season Launch.

Stories from the commercial world.

Artist Kerry Strongman and the sculptures he has carved from Northland swamp kauri. The photography was commissioned by the artist to document 30 pieces of his original art in his Te Hana studio over a six day period. Each sculpture was painstakingly lit with up to eight lights to capture the individuality, detail and form of his artwork.

Commissioned advertising photography

Eight photo-essays, from a series originally commissioned by Metro magazine between 2006 and 2010 that examine the nature of Aucklanders who gather together in ways that most of us do not realise or even notice. The Metro writer would arrange for access to a Subculture activity with the request that apart from some interviews we for the most part would like to just observe. Much more than a multi-ethnic overview, it includes unusual pursuits such as parkour, activities like a women’s poker tournament and the theatrics of pro-wrestling. Without exception the participants welcomed us with open arms and open hearts. These photographs are a tribute to their generosity. .

Recent photography from assignments for magazines such as The New Zealand Listener, The Guardian, North & South, Metro, NZ House & Garden, NZ Geographic, Kiaora and Our Auckland.

A selection of story-telling photography.

Adrian is an editorial and commercial photographer specialising in documentary photography for clients such as The Guardian Media Group, New Zealand Geographic, The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, businesses, corporates and agencies as well as taking on a variety of privately commissioned documentary projects. After an extensive career as an award winning news photojournalist Adrian came to Auckland in 2004 to teach photojournalism at AUT. He established himself as an independent photographer with regular commissions for Metro, North & South, The Listener, Kia ora and other magazines. Adrian continues to teach and mentor professional and aspiring photographers alongside his editorial and commercial photography practice. A recent addition to Adrian’s story telling work is A Day in the Life of Your Family. Candid black and white photography of the everyday moments in a family life, turned into a beautiful hand printed, hand-made, linen-bound photobook to be treasured as a family heirloom for years to come.

Architect Ian Athfield at his home in Wellington, The Hill. Photographed for the book, The Power of Us, published 2013, by Random House NZ. On an unexpectedly sunny mid-winter Saturday morning with a gentle breeze drifting off the harbour, I parked on the roadside above the house that dominates Wellington's northern skyline. I was trundling my camera gear down the driveway when I spotted an overalls-clad woman on the roof – Ath's wife Clare. She spotted me and yelled out, "Who are you?" "I'm Adrian." "Who have you come to see?" "I'm here for our scheduled appointment to photograph Ath." Clare turned to her left and repeated my answer to the bean-frame (yes, an actual bean-frame), from which loudly emanated, “F#%K! – I forgot" It was the perfect start to the perfect photo-shoot. It commenced with Ath completing his tidy-up of the bean-frame, to rooftop espresso as the grandchildren ran wildly around us, the to and fro banter as Clare pointed out that they live in New Zealand’s oldest leaky home to which Ath mumbled darkly, the wonderful New Zealand art collection, the guided and anecdote-filled tour of The Hill and, as I was preparing to leave, Ath grabbed my heaviest equipment-bag, threw it over his shoulder and with my camera case in tow, lugged them up the drive despite him being on medical-enforced post-op rest. All because he had noticed that I was struggling with a recent back-injury. To cap it off, when Ath saw that I had a couple of 78 records in the back of the car which I had scored while fossicking through Wairarapa 2nd hand shops, he raced back to the house and in a short while brought back some wonderful albums to add to my collection. A man for all seasons. Sir Ian Athfield, 15 July 1940 ~ 16 January 2015