Ans Westra

A woman driven to photograph

In a career that spanned six decades, the Dutch-Kiwi photographer Ans Westra (1936–2023) made it her life’s work to capture the growth of a nation through hundreds of thousands of images. Her photographic
catalogue is now widely thought of as a photo album of Aotearoa New Zealand.

This richly illustrated biography interrogates her remarkable — and at times controversial — practice, and a life that always put photography first.

To look inside, click here.

‘While Ans Westra may have perceived herself as an outsider, Paul Moon’s warm, inquisitive, and at times humorous insight into her unconventional life has presented her as anything but.’ — James Partington, ArtBeat

‘This richly detailed biography is an all-encompassing overview of one of the foremost chroniclers of New Zealand life.’ — Linda Herrick, New Zealand Listener

‘Moon, the historian, has had the patience to stare hard at her work and the skill to describe it evocatively.’ — Max Oettli, Landfall Review Online

‘A fascinating biography and insight into one of New Zealand's leading social photographers.’ — Terry Toner