Tea and tours: Cast in light edition

A curator talk, a cup of tea, and a short film viewing

Hear exhibitions specialist Peter Ireland speak to Joseph Divis’s photographs in our current exhibition Cast in light: Life in a mining town. Take a tour of Cast in light and He Tohu and reflect with our kaiārahi over a cup of tea.

View a reel of footage of the Waiuta gold mine in action, courtesy of Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, and watch the short film JOS on the life and photography of Joseph Divis.

Book now

While our ‘Tea and tours’ events are tailored for seniors, we welcome people of all ages to come along.

Places are limited so book your spot by emailing your contact details and the number of people in your party to events.natlib@dia.govt.nz.

About the exhibition

Cast in Light Joseph Divis (1885–1967) photographed life in New Zealand mining towns in the first part of the twentieth century. He worked underground as a gold miner, which gave him access to the mines. His images, including flash photographs, provide a unique record of mining as well as life in mining communities, especially the now-abandoned town of Waiuta, on the West Coast of the South Island, where he settled.

In 2009 the Alexander Turnbull Library acquired most of the surviving photographs taken by Divis. This exhibition features some of those photographs, illuminating rare insights into work inside the mines, as well as the drama of life above ground in once-thriving Waiuta.

Visit the exhibition in the Te Puna Foundation Gallery, on now until 6 July 2024, or view the exhibition online.

Start your online visit of ‘Cast in light’