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A pencil case, keeper of memories and three-way pens, lives in that no-mans-land of utilitarian nostalga and scholastic glory. In Lisbon, a city known for its leatherwork, a pencil case is much more than a convenient carrier; it’s a culmination of artisanal training, pre-cut patterns and naked flame. < Back The making of a pencil case Substack 10 Oct 2025 A pencil case, keeper of memories and three-way pens, lives in that no-mans-land of utilitarian nostalga and scholastic glory. In Lisbon, a city known for its leatherwork, a pencil case is much more than a convenient carrier; it’s a culmination of artisanal training, pre-cut patterns and naked flame. Half-way up the cobblestoned Rua Arco de Graca, behind the fresh façade of Di Zocco sits Leonardo di Croce, bent over his vintage Pfaff sewing machine, heel-toe technique on full display as the needle pumps furiously. An Argentine native who began leathercrafting with his brother in Buenos Aires, di Croce loosely follows in the footsteps of his cobbler grandfather and leathersmith uncle. Now plying his trade in Portugal, his unfussy shop-cum-studio welcomes visitors with purposely placed samples lining wooden shelves. Out the back, an old fan unevenly oscillates, wafting the soft, homely aroma emanating from a mélange of offcuts. Choosing a piece of leather, di Croce tugs at it tenderly to check for blemishes. Taking a blade to the Portuguese cow hide he traces around a well-worn pattern, carefully pushing against the metal workbench. The outline for the pencil case is deceptively simple – two shapes – versus the more complex ‘Jimmy’ messenger or ‘Sam’ backpack (each bag is named after its first customer). He precisely threads the leather through a thinning skiver, pushing out a smooth bevelled edge on the other side. Transferring glue from large jar to small, he fastidously wipes his hands on his denim apron, before patting down the adhesive using a fine brush. There are no plastic caps or excessive cloth inserts here; Di Croce follows a maxim passed on by another old hand, ‘If it is leather, show the leather.’ Concentration on his face, tongue between his lips, he expertly guides the Gutermann polyester thread along the zip line. Cigarette lighter and micro scissors in hand, di Croce snips and sears off the final loose threads before turning it all inside out. A smooth, rich dark brown, hand-crafted pencil case is revealed, ready to sit on the shelf and be named after the next customer. < Previous Next >

On the East Coast of New Zealand lies the township of Tikitiki. Rural and isolated, it is a poster-child for parts of the country that have been left behind. In 2014 Guy Needham returned to where he grew up. The sight of decrepit buildings and desolate spaces motivated him to embark on an ongoing project. Originally a cathartic ode to his childhood called "The Paper Came the Next Day", his deep connection with the town is evident; the images reflecting both physical and emotional isolation. PHOTOJOURNALISM Documentary Tikitiki, New Zealand On the East Coast of New Zealand lies the township of Tikitiki. Rural and isolated, it is a poster-child for parts of the country that have been left behind. In 2014 Guy Needham returned to where he grew up. The sight of decrepit buildings and desolate spaces motivated him to embark on an ongoing project. Originally a cathartic ode to his childhood called "The Paper Came the Next Day", his deep connection with the town is evident; the images reflecting both physical and emotional isolation.

< Back Interview with The Photographers' Mail 13 May 2015 Adrian Hatwell of D-Photo magazine and The Photographers' Mail sat down to discuss Guy Needham's upcoming solo exhibition, Shades of Otara. As part of the Auckland Festival of Photography, the exhibition opens on Wednesday 27 July. < Previous Next >

Latest news and updates from Guy Needham. LATEST NEWS 8 Jan 2026 2006 for the Vatwa 2026 has been a big year for the Vatwa of Angola already - appearing in Rome and Boston - and now getting ready for Melbourne in April Read More 29 Nov 2025 Jacket-shaming in Valencia In today's Sunday Star-Times you can read all about how Valencia is once again the hot place to travel in Spain - full of modernism, tradition, siestas and art. Read More 28 Oct 2025 Kanamutico meets Boston A portrait of Kanamutico of the Vatwa tribe will be on display in the US for the first time, as part of the Griffin Museum of Photography's Winter Solstice exhibition. Read More 21 Oct 2025 Behind the scenes in Lisbon In Lisbon, a city known for its leatherwork, a pencil case is much more than a convenient carrier; it’s a culmination of artisanal training, pre-cut patterns and naked flame... Read More 14 Oct 2025 Ciao Vatwa The Vatwa will be popping up in Rome at the Galleria Arte Roma Design in early January 2026. Read More 6 Oct 2025 The Vatwa go to Melbourne Melbourne's Ladder Art Space will be showing the Vatwa exhibition as part of their 2026 programme, bringing to Australia one of Angola's most intriguing tribes. Read More 28 Sept 2025 Māpua Magic This week The Press featured my article on Māpua, a pocket of paradise on the Waimea Inlet 30 minutes from Nelson, that blends natural encounters with artisan flair and friendly style. Read More 23 Sept 2025 Exposição os Dani Guy Needham's inaugural exhibition in Portugal, Os Dani, opened in Lisboa this weekend hosted by PsiRelacional and Incubator Photo Gallery. Read More 6 Sept 2025 The Dani go to Portugal Guy Needham's first exhibition in Portugal brings The Dani of Papua to Lisbon, courtesy of Incubator Gallery Read More 19 Aug 2025 Lubango Local chosen for Athens An image of a just-emptied train carriage at a railway station on the outskirts of Lubango, Angola, has been selected for a global travel exhibition in Athens, Greece. Read More 8 Jul 2025 Thinking clouds Fieldfare - a print journal celebrating our connection to place with a longer, slower read - recently published its favourite reader travel photos on Substack. Mine was one of them... Read More 20 Jun 2025 Opening up Angola This week in The Post is my story about the new Angola - a country made rich by oil, gas, gold and diamonds, that has a tumultuous recent history and is now on a path to attract more tourists... Read More 2 Jan 2025 First Rodeo in the World This week Guy Needham went along with thousands of others to watch the first rodeo to be held in the world each year, the Warkworth Rodeo... Read More 3 Aug 2024 More in Timor-Leste Today's Sunday Star-Times features my latest travel article, this one on Asia's youngest country. From fish on a stick to preparing to the Pope, read about what makes this country between Indonesia and Australia so special. Read More 5 Jul 2024 Working with Red Cross CVTL Last week Guy Needham joined Bin Sar of On Shoot Timor-Leste in the Timorese region of Covalima to deliver a three-day photography and communications training session to Red Cross CVTL Timor-Leste... Read More 4 Mar 2024 Not the Bluff you think you know Pick up a copy of the New Zealand Herald's Travel magazine for my latest story on Bluff. The town known for those fat juicy you-know-whats, and the place where every New Zealand fundraising ride / walk / tour seems to end, is having a modern-day renaissance... Read More 3 Jan 2024 Yellowstone meets Warkworth The Warkworth Rodeo, held north of Auckland New Zealand, didn't disappoint with its annual gathering of cowboys and cowgirls. Read More 22 Dec 2023 The Last Great Hunter-Gatherers "The leader reaches in between the freshly cut, drooping skin and through to the open organ cavity. Twisting his hand with a precision that only comes with age, he pulls out the bloody liver." Read More 4 Dec 2023 Java's sacred Shadow Puppets The Jungle Journal has just published Guy Needham's photo essay on the wayang kulit, Indonesia’s centuries-old shadow puppet tradition. Read More 10 Nov 2023 NZ Camera 2023 Lokop Mabel, one of the elders of the Dani tribe in Papua's Anemoigi village, features in NZ Camera 2023. Read More 24 Oct 2023 Falling for New England Want to know the best way to sell maple syrup in Vermont? Or where to go for the annual pumpkin' chuckin' contest? Read More 27 Sept 2023 The Dani come to Auckland In Guy Needham's first New Zealand show in three years, The Dani is now showing at The Grey Place in Auckland. Read More 17 Sept 2023 On show in Barcelona Europe's first showing of The Dani is now live at Barcelona's Fotonostrum Gallery, accompanied by background on the tribe itself. Read More 10 Sept 2023 Lokop Mabel wins Portrait Award Lokop Mabel of The Dani tribe has won another award, this time the Portrait category in the international Shoot The Frame competition. Read More 20 Jul 2023 The Huli at Webb's Webb's upcoming Material Culture auction, a celebration of the mastery and skill of indigenous artists and their craft, will feature images from The Hull of Papua New Guinea. Read More 9 May 2023 Domi Logo goes to Athens An image of Domi Logo, one of the elders of the Dani tribe, has been selected for an international Portraits exhibition in Athens, Greece. Read More 9 Mar 2023 Photographers for Ukraine Guy Needham and a number of photographers worldwide have joined together to raise funds for UNICEF Ukraine via Portugal's Incubator Gallery. Read More 30 Nov 2022 Yunita Mabel wins Bronze Fresh off winning the Portrait award for Shoot The Frame, and ashowing at the Indian Photography Festival, this image of Yunita Mabel has just won Bronze at the Budapest International Foto Awards. Read More 15 Nov 2022 From Papua to Boston Boston's Griffin Museum of Photography will be the first United States gallery to feature one of the Dani tribe from Indonesia's Papua region. Read More 11 Sept 2022 Aman Ipai honoured in Vienna A monochromatic portrait of Aman Ipai, one of the Mentawai of Indonesia, has been selected for the Vienna International Photo Awards. Read More 5 Sept 2022 Two Dani in Scotland Two images of Dani elders taken outside their pilamo or men's hut, have been selected for the Glasgow Gallery of Photography's Portraits exhibition. Read More 30 Aug 2022 Hadzabe Girl wins Silver Hadzabe Girl has won Silver at the prestigious 2022 Prix de la Photographie de Paris in France. Read More 8 Jul 2022 Yunita Mabel wins Shoot The Frame A portrait of a young Dani woman, Yunita Mabel, from the Papua region of Indonesia has won the Portrait Award for Shoot The Frame. Read More 14 Jun 2022 The Dani go to the USA An image of a Mika Logo, a boy from the Dani tribe in the Papua region of Indonesia, has been selected for Praxis Gallery's international Portraits exhibition. Read More 22 Mar 2022 Palliser & Pinnacles Check out the cover story of today's Herald Travel section to read all about New Zealand's only red-and-white striped lighthouse, the country's biggest fur seal colony... Read More 8 Dec 2021 Carnaval in Suitcase Magazine The latest issue of travel + culture magazine SUITCASE features a photo essay of images Guy Needham took at the Carnaval de Blancos y Negros. Read More 25 Sept 2021 6th Biennial of Fine Art & Documentary Photography December sees The Hadzabe of Tanzania continue its world tour in Barcelona, as part of the 6th Biennial of Fine Art & Documentary Photography. Read More 13 Sept 2021 La Mercè selected for US exhibition La Mercè, an image taken for a New Zealand Herald article, has been selected for Praxis Gallery's International Juried Photography Exhibition. Read More 7 May 2021 Opening Night in Melbourne Last night saw the opening of The Hadzabe of Tanzania in Melbourne, Australia, where guests found out about the Hadzabe's traditional nomadic lifestyle of dirt, baboons and clicks. Read More 23 Apr 2021 Six Tribes donates to Barcelona Following its inaugural showing at Atelier Güell, a limited number of Six Tribes prints will be on show in Barcelona from April 24 to May 15 at the gallery. Read More 21 Apr 2021 Tales of the Unwritten Nashi Boy, as featured in Metro magazine and the Royal Photographic Society's The Decisive Moment, has been selected for a street photography book and exhibition in Italy. Read More 9 Apr 2021 Hadzabe Girl at Center for Photographic Art Fresh on the back of winning silver in the 2020 SGIPA International Photography Awards, Hadzabe Girl has been selected from amongst 2000 submissions to be part of the Center of Photographic Art's 2021 Juried Exhibition Read More 16 Nov 2020 Hadzabe Girl wins Silver Hadzabe Girl, a Dickenesque portrait taken in the Laye Eyasi district of Tanzania, has been announced as one of the winners in the 2020 SGIPA International Photography Awards. Read More 19 Oct 2020 Samburu Opening Night Hundreds of people made it along to the inaugural showing of the Samburu of Kenya on the Opening Night and throughout Auckland Artweek. Read More 3 Oct 2020 The Samburu on RNZ National On RNZ National Guy Needham joins Colin Peacock to discuss his work and the intimate portraits he created of the Samburu tribe in northern Kenya. Read More 2 Oct 2020 Aman Ipai overlooks Florida Aman Ipai, also known as 'The Mentawai Smoker' is being shown as part of the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts' exhibition this month. Read More 19 Sept 2020 The Hadzabe in Portrait Magazine Portrait Magazine, a digital publication dedicated to portrait photography, has chosen The Hadzabe of Tanzania to be featured in its latest issue amongst six other photographic projects. Read More 21 Aug 2020 Flowers for Basel A select group of images from "There are always flowers (for those who want to see them) - Henri Matisse" will be making an appearance in a virtual exhibition in Basel, Switzerland. Read More 20 Aug 2020 New Zealand Camera 2020 Hadzabe Girl has been included in the just-released 2020 New Zealand Camera Book. Read More 4 Jul 2020 Lake Tekapo X Los Angeles A photo taken at sunrise at New Zealand's Lake Tekapo has been selected for the upcoming The Golden Hour exhibition at the Auburn Art Gallery in Los Angeles. Read More 2 Jun 2020 Hadzabe Kudu in F-Stop magazin Online photography magazine F-Stop has included two of the Hadzabe series in its June issue - Hadzabe Boy and Hadzabe Kudu. Read More 14 Apr 2020 Goroka Boy goes to the United States Goroka Boy, an image taken in the central Highlands of Papua New Guinea, has been selected for Praxis Gallery's international juried Portraits exhibition. Read More 3 Apr 2020 There are always flowers "There are always flowers (for those who want to see them) - Henri Matisse" is a series designed to bring light to the dark days of Coronavirus. Read More 20 Jan 2020 Jaguars in the Jungle In this coming weekend's Sunday Star-Times you can read all about how I helplessly watched on as my guide was slowly poisoned... Read More 4 Dec 2019 LA Center of Photography Member of the Month Guy Needham has been selected as LACP's Member of the Month for his Tribal series. Read More 16 Nov 2019 Hadzabe Girl in Budapest Next week Hadzabe Girl appears as part of a group exhibition to be held at Budapest's Ferencvárosi Művelődési Központ. Read More 5 Nov 2019 Kilts meet Kudu Two of Guy Needham's indigenous portraits, Hadzabe Smoker (wearing a kudu skin) from the Hadzabe of Tanzania series, and Final Touches from The Huli of Papua New Guinea, will go on show for the first time in the UK. Read More 8 Oct 2019 Tower to the People "Squinting up, we could make out a young girl in a red helmet scrambling towards the top. The crowd was told to shush. Plaça de Sant Juame fell silent as we held our collective breath..." Read More 28 Sept 2019 First Place win in Florida Hadzabe Girl has taken away 1st Place in the People & Portraits category at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. Read More 19 Sept 2019 Six Tribes opens in Barcelona On the back of its first showing in Athens, Six Tribes opens in Barcelona tomorrow night in the historic Raval area. Read More 18 Aug 2019 Castles in the Sky If you want to read about why I disappointed a Nun while gazing out from ancient monasteries perched atop towering pinnacles of rock in Meteora, Greece, pick up a copy of this Tuesday's New Zealand Herald. Read More 30 May 2019 Shoot The Frame book out now Two of Guy Needham's portraits - Aman Teutagougou and Hadzabe Smoker - grace the pages of the latest Shoot The Frame photobook. Read More 29 May 2019 The Hadzabe opens in Auckland The sixth instalment of Guy Needham's tribal series opened in Auckland last night to a packed Grey gallery. Read More 23 May 2019 Monochrome in Hungary Aman Ipai, one of the lead images in The Mentawai of Indonesia series, has been selected as part of a group Monochrome exhibition to be held in Budapest next month. Read More 17 Apr 2019 Der Letzte Schliff geht nach Berlin Final Touches, from The Huli of Papua New Guinea series, is making an appearance at Berlin's Jarvis Dooney gallery throughout April. Read More 15 Apr 2019 Judging for Crete Guy Needham has been selected as one of the international jury for the upcoming Chania International Photo Festival. Read More 23 Feb 2019 Auckland Festival of Photography Guy Needham's The Hadzabe of Tanzania has been selected for the Core programme of this year's Auckland Festival of Photography. Read More 9 Feb 2019 Greece welcomes Éxi Fylés Last night Éxi Fylés (six tribes) opened at the Blank Wall Gallery in Athens, with a show-and-tell opening night. Read More 19 Jan 2019 First Peoples in D-Photo magazine Pick up a copy of the latest D-Photo magazine to read the feature article about my time with the Hadzabe of Tanzania Read More 11 Dec 2018 Pride of Kenya If you want to know about drinking goat's blood and tracking lions, pick up a copy of today's New Zealand Herald. Read More 4 Dec 2018 The Hadzabe go to the US Hadzabe Smoker, the lead image of The Hadzabe of Tanzania series, will have its US debut next month in the SE Center for Photography. Read More 26 Sept 2018 The Hamar in Vermont Vermont's PhotoPlace Gallery has selected one of Guy Needham's Hamar of Ethiopia images for its upcoming Travel exhibition. Read More 14 Jul 2018 PhotoKina Germany Final Touches, the lead image of Guy Needham's The Huli of Papua New Guinea series, will be on show at PhotoKina in Cologne, Germany this September. Read More 27 Jun 2018 LA meets Siberut Aman Ipai, one of the feature images of Guy Needham's The Mentawai of Indonesia series, has been selected by the Los Angeles Centre of Photography for a group exhibition. Read More 26 Jun 2018 Urban 2018 Photo Awards Guy Needham's Shades of Otara has been chosen as a Selected Series in the dotArt Urban 2018 Photo Awards out of 4,460 photos and 272 portfolios from around the world. Read More 25 Jun 2018 Chania International Photography Festival Two of Guy Needham's images from his Mentawai tribal series will be part of the inaugural Chania International Photography festival in Crete. Read More 5 Jun 2018 Huli Boy in Dutch exhibition This walking dichotomy of a young Huli boy - is he turning his back on a traditional way of life, or walking towards his future - has been selected by Rotterdam's Galerie Sehnsucht as part of its Wanderlust exhibition. Read More 15 May 2018 Resting at London Photo Festival The feature image of the Shades of Otara series is on show this week at the 2018 London Photo Festival. Read More 9 May 2018 Viva La Fiesta! The featured 'Postcard' in the latest Lonely Planet Traveller is a shot taken by Guy Needham at Colombia's Carnaval of The Blacks and Whites. Read More 8 May 2018 The Mentawai opens in Sydney The third of Guy Needham's tribal series, The Mentawai of Indonesia, is now on show in Sydney as part of Australia's Head On Photo Festival. Read More 16 Apr 2018 A Different Aspect of Reality Two of the images from The Mentawai will be shown in Athens, Greece this month as part of an international group Portraits exhibition. Read More 9 Mar 2018 Otara in the Royal Photographic Society Journal One of the most defining images of the Shades of Otara series is spotlit in this month's Royal Photographic Society's Journal. Read More 25 Feb 2018 Warriors with wi-fi The lead travel story in today's Sunday Star-Times is my experience of meeting the Waorani tribe in the Ecuadorian Amazon - and what I did not expect. Read More 25 Jan 2018 Carnaval in the Bogota Post Colombia's Bogota Post has selected an image taken by Guy Needham at the recent Carnaval de Negros y Blancos for its front page. Read More 16 Jan 2018 Colours of Colombia "All the fun of the fiesta in Latin America" is captured on the cover of the latest New Zealand Herald travel magazine. Read More 12 Jan 2018 Head on Photo Festival The third of Guy Needham's tribal series, The Mentawai of Indonesia, will be shown as part of the Head On Photo Festival in Australia this year. Read More 12 Dec 2017 The AFAR Guide to Auckland Want to know more about visiting New Zealand's 'City of Sails'? Check out this guide on AFAR.com that I locally edited, to find out the best places to stay, where to eat & drink, what to do, and of course, where to shop. Read More 24 Oct 2017 Living with the Mentawai If you'd like to know what it's really like living with an ancient tribe in the equatorial rainforest check out my latest article in the New Zealand Herald to find out about coping with leeches, rotting wood, poison arrows and medicine men. Read More 13 Sept 2017 Royal Photographic Society meets Otara The Royal Photographic Society, one of the world's premium photography institutions, is featuring a gallery of Shades of Otara on their website. Read More 19 Jul 2017 The Mentawai in D-Photo Magazine In an exclusive interview with D-Photo magazine Guy Needham talks about the lengths he went to to get the shots for his upcoming exhibition, The Mentawai of Indonesia. Read More 4 May 2017 Digital Photo Magazine's photo of the Day One of the images in the upcoming exhibition, The Mentawai of Indonesia, has featured in the US magazine Digital Photo as their Photo of the Day. Read More 2 May 2017 That Sinking Feeling “It’s fair to say that Tuvalu is unlike any other islands you’re likely to visit: small, isolated, beautiful, sleepy and sinking." Read More 15 Oct 2016 Colour Nature II released Guy Needham's latest project, a departure from his tribal work, has just been released for sale as Colour Nature (II). Read More 5 Aug 2016 The Hamar opens in Auckland The Hamar of Ethiopia opened last night in Auckland with Guy Needham sharing stories about Ethiopia and talking about the concept behind the exhibition. Read More 3 May 2016 Lone Star State of Mind “Y’all not from round here, are ya? Ain’t nobody drinks Buuuud." Ever wondered what it's like in a true cowboy town in southern Texas? Read More 14 Apr 2016 On cultural awareness Last night Guy Needham spoke at the North Shore Photographic Society about his travel photography experiences and his recent Shades of Otara exhibition. Read More 19 Jan 2016 Here to Help Guy Needham's latest article about voluntourism in Ethiopia is the cover story of the New Zealand Herald's travel section. Read More 23 Oct 2015 Issues around Permission Last night Guy Needham spoke at the Auckland Photographic Society about his travel photography experiences and his recent Shades of Otara exhibition. Read More 21 Oct 2015 Goroka selected for UK Portrait Salon The UK Portrait Salon has accepted ‘Goroka’ by Guy Needham, into the 2015 exhibition to be held in London in November. Read More 8 Jul 2015 Winner of National Geographic Traveller Competition An image taken in the highlands of Papua New Guinea by Guy Needham has won National Geographic Traveller magazine's "Colour My World" photography competition. Read More 4 Jun 2015 Why Albania “Why Albania?” “Why not?” “What have they done to us?” “What have they done for us?” “Nothing….” “See, they keep to themselves. Shifty. Untrustable.” Read More 1 Jun 2015 Shades of Otara opens Guy Needham's latest solo exhibition, Shades of Otara, opened this week at Studio One in Auckland. Read More 13 May 2015 Interview with The Photographers' Mail Adrian Hatwell of D-Photo magazine and The Photographers' Mail sat down to discuss Guy Needham's upcoming solo exhibition, Shades of Otara. Read More 26 Apr 2015 The Strangest Town in Australia We both looked up. It was a strange sound, obviously unfamiliar to my host. “When was the last time it rained here?” I asked. A pause. “Um… this is the first time this year. Might settle the dust though,” said Nick laconically. Perhaps a good omen to mark the centenary of what some would say is Australia’s strangest town. Read More 26 Apr 2015 The Strangest Town in Australia Guy Needham's latest travel article has featured in the Sunday Star-Times, about Australia's Strangest Town. Read More 5 Feb 2015 Off-grid Ocean Journey “When the alarm goes you grab this,” Officer Cadet Dusan said as he pointed to my lifejacket. “And this.” An orange survival suit. “We muster on C Deck, starboard side.” I didn’t know if it was a good or bad thing that my welcome was bringing up Titanic-like thoughts. Read More 3 Feb 2015 Off-Grid Ocean Journey Guy Needham's latest photo expedition, on a freighter across the Tasman Sea and South Pacific Ocean has featured in the New Zealand Herald's travel section. Read More 14 Nov 2014 Shades of Otara to show at Studio One Studio One in Ponsonby has confirmed that Shades of Otara - a documentary series three years in the making - will be exhibited from 25 May next year. Read More 19 Oct 2014 Photographers Meet Up group Last night Guy Needham shared his tips on safety, planning, gear and marketing with 25 other photographers at the Image Centre Meet Up group. Read More 7 Sept 2014 Someone Else's World Guy Needham's tips on preparing for overseas photoshoots is part of this month's D-Photo Magazine article on "Someone Else's World". Read More 14 Jul 2014 Colour Nature opens Guy Needham's next exhibition, Colour // Nature will be hosted by Auckland's Grand Rendezvous Hotel. Read More 1 Jul 2014 Dalmatian Cultural Society's Open Day Guy Needham's People of The Balkans exhibition is having its second showing, this time at the Dalmatian Cultural Society's Open Day in September 2014. Read More 4 Jun 2014 Opening Night for The Huli Last night saw the opening of The Huli of Papua New Guineaas part of the Auckland Festival of Photography. Read More 27 May 2014 Splendid Isolation in D-Photo magazine Guy Needham was recently interviewed by D:Photo Magazine. Read More 20 May 2014 Presentation on the Huli On Tuesday 3rd June at 6pm Guy Needham, will be talking at the opening of his latest exhibition, The Huli of Papua New Guinea. Read More 1 May 2014 Story of the Creative Some of Guy Needham's images marking the 20th anniversary of the 90s wars in the Balkans recently featured in a New York City digital exhibition, The Story of The Creative. Read More 14 Apr 2013 People of the Balkans Guy Needham's People of The Balkans solo exhibition opened yesterday at The Photographer's Gallery in Napier. Read More NEWS

“The Pope, The Pope!” A construction worker was vigourously waving his arms and yelling at me. “The Pope, no entrada!” Seeing my obvious confusion, he came running over and introduced himself by way of tattooed name on his forearm. Pito explained that the attraction I had come to see, was closed, in preparation for a visit from the Pontiff. < Back Asia's overlooked Gem Copy Sunday Star-Times 6 Jul 2024 “The Pope, The Pope!” A construction worker was vigourously waving his arms and yelling at me. “The Pope, no entrada!” Seeing my obvious confusion, he came running over and introduced himself by way of tattooed name on his forearm. Pito explained that the attraction I had come to see, was closed, in preparation for a visit from the Pontiff. Pito and I were on the road below Cristo Rei of Dili, a magnificent statue of Christ with welcoming arms, standing atop a globe. Reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer, the statue was built by the Indonesian Government during its occupation. “It’s OK,” Pito assured me, “I can tell you history.” The sun bounced off his dusty hard hat. The history of Timor-Leste (pron. less-tay) is a long and bloody one. After 400 years as a Portuguese colony, a coup in Lisbon encouraged the East Timorese to declare independence in 1975. In the lead-up there were border incursions by Indonesian militia, a prequel to a full-scale invasion. The film Balibo, about the five Australian journalists killed during those incursions and journalist Roger East who was executed, is an excellent, if gut-wrenching, watch. During the 24 years of Indonesian rule more than 200,000 Timorese lost their lives. Many Kiwis will remember that New Zealand was part of the UN peacekeeping force in East Timor after a referendum on independence in 1999. Private Leonard Manning of the New Zealand Army was one of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, killed in action while defending the freedom of the East Timorese. While the suffering of the past is never far from the country’s collective memory, these days Timor-Leste is on friendly terms with its neighbours, is eager to prosper, and keen to show the world what it has to offer. A country of boundless natural beauty, it’s fair to say that intrepid travellers will get more out of it than someone who loves their creature comforts. Don’t get me wrong, there are 4-star hotels in Dili and Timor-Leste is gearing up for more tourism. But part of the charm is the unique opportunity to experience a country that hasn’t yet been commercialised. Even the arrival process is uncomplicated: you line up for a visa (US$30 cash only), you get your stamp, you walk around the corner, you pick up your bag, you buy a local SIM card (very important), and the next thing you know you’re in Dili. Getting around the capital is best done by microlet – colourful, numbered minibuses that follow set routes. They’re easy to hail down, and when you’re ready to get off you tap the metal handrail with a coin. It costs 25 centavos (about 40c) no matter how far you go. Getting around the rest of the country though, that’s another story, and usually requires your own set of wheels. I was lucky enough to have two Timorese, Guido and Cesar, take me to the easternmost point, Tutuala Beach. It really is off the beaten track. We were bouncing around so much on the deconstructed roads that my Apple Watch asked If I’d like to “Record indoor walk”. Our beachfront accommodation was the community-run Valu Sere, made up of simple rooms with thatched roofs, mosquito nets, and a light. We ate in the open-air dining room metres from the sea enjoying the fish Guido had picked out for dinner. The next morning, we hired a boat to take the 10-minute journey across to instagrammable Jaco Island. Part of the protected Nino Konis Santana National Park, the sand is so white, the ocean ridiculously clear. This is about as deserted a tropical island as you can get. Back in Baucau, the country’s second city, we stocked up on water to explore the nearby countryside in 30-degree heat. Our first stop was Gua Tujuh (the seven caves) where the Japanese fought from in World War II, and the Timorese resistance fought from during the Indonesian occupation. The mountainous landscape is dotted with numerous scenic points, but none as revered as Mount Ariana. At the top of some steep, concrete steps the wind buffeted us as we took in the 360-degree views and looked up to the statue of Maria Auxiliadora. Part of joy of travelling through Timor-Leste is sampling the local cuisine. On the way back to Dili we stopped at a beachside restaurant for some skewered grilled fish, unwrapped our katupa (rice wrapped up in coconut leaf parcels) and dug in with forks and fingers. The local food is very cheap, despite the official currency being US dollars. Timor-Leste now only accepts US $5 denominations upward and uses local Centavos for anything below that. Don’t worry though, it’s all interchangeable. Just make sure you have enough cash before you leave the cities. Select ATMs accept Visa – although they had run out of money after the weekend. Off the coast, Atauro Island looms large. A divers’ and snorkelers’ paradise, travel agents can not only hook you up with dive masters but also accommodation ranging from eco resorts to camping. Even if you’re not an avid diver, the water is so clear that a snorkel and mask is all you’ll need. Back in Dili the cacophony of horns continued as pedestrians skirted around the uncovered manholes. A Ranger full of nuns zoomed past, habits flapping out the open windows. In a country that’s 95% Catholic it’s no surprise that Pope Francis is visiting, the first Pope to do so since the late 1980s. Papa Francisco will get a very Timorese welcome, full of warmth and respect and love. He will get to climb the steps to Cristo Rei and look out at Asia’s newest county. And I’m sure Pito will be there, calling out to him. Details Flights: From Darwin or Bali daily Tourism Timor-Leste: https://visiteasttimor.com/timor/ Original publication: Sunday Star-Times < Previous Next >

< Back Hadzabe Girl in Budapest 16 Nov 2019 Next week Hadzabe Girl appears as part of a group exhibition to be held at Budapest's Ferencvárosi Művelődési Központ. One of only 13 finalists from around the world, the image will be part of a show run by The Budapest Diary - an initiative to connect artists and build bridges between peoples, nations and cultures by using photography. < Previous Next >

< Back Carnaval in Suitcase Magazine 8 Dec 2021 The latest issue of travel + culture magazine SUITCASE features a photo essay of images Guy Needham took at the Carnaval de Blancos y Negros. Each January, the 5-day festival of colour, noise and foam is held in the southern Colombian city of Pasto, with showers of confetti raining down on performers atop the four-storey-high floats. You can pick up your copy of SUITCASE from next week. < Previous Next >

< Back Māpua Magic 28 Sept 2025 This week The Press featured my article on Māpua, a pocket of paradise on the Waimea Inlet 30 minutes from Nelson, that blends natural encounters with artisan flair and friendly style. From being propositioned not long after we arrived, to taking an e-bike on the only ferry crossing on the New Zealand's cycle trail, you can read all about how this historic and revitalised township is punching above its tourism weight, in The Press here or on my website here . < Previous Next >

< Back Jacket-shaming in Valencia 29 Nov 2025 In today's Sunday Star-Times you can read all about how Valencia is once again the hot place to travel in Spain - full of modernism, tradition, siestas and art. It’s been nearly 20 years since 25,000 New Zealanders came through Valenica, enduring the humidity during the 2007 Americas Cup. After the cup moved on most Kiwis didn’t hear much about Valencia – that is, until last October’s devastating flood... You can read the whole article here (paywalled) < Previous Next >

As I left the room, I respectfully bowed my head and thanked my host, Tanjkeara. His wife, Francisca, who I had met at a cock fight had invited me into their home, impressing upon me that her husband spoke English, Dutch and Bahasa. As it was Tanjkeara didn’t say much - he hadn’t since he had died three years ago. < Back The Land of the Toraja Otago Daily Times 1 Nov 2023 As I left the room, I respectfully bowed my head and thanked my host, Tanjkeara. His wife, Francisca, who I had met at a cock fight had invited me into their home, impressing upon me that her husband spoke English, Dutch and Bahasa. As it was Tanjkeara didn’t say much - he hadn’t since he had died three years ago. For the Toraja of southern Sulawesi, death is very much a part of life and their elaborate funeral rites are renowned throughout Indonesia. As per custom, Tanjkeara was being kept in the southern end of the house until he could be buried. For now, he was considered ‘ill’ and was still talked to, brought water and tobacco, and received visitors like me. Ithos, my local guide, explained more. “For us, it is important to honour those who will pass to puja , the afterlife, and to connect between the living and the dead. And here that is very expensive.” Although the Toraja are predominantly Christian – a highlands enclave in the most populous Islamic country in the world – they blend this with Alukta , the ‘old religion’. It is believed that without a traditional tomate funeral ceremony misfortune will come to the family of the deceased. For the high caste that means constructing temporary seating and housing for hundreds of expected guests, feeding and watering the helpers in the months leading up to the funeral, and then the bloody sacrifice of at least 24 buffalo to accompany the deceased to puja . Until then, like Tanjkeara, they rest at home in a coffin. Ithos continued. “After burial, once every three years we remove them to change their clothes, and polish their necklaces, and clean their glasses. This is ma’nene , this is how we look after them.” The exhumed are then returned to their graves which may be in the form of crypts carved into solid rock, coffins hanging from cliffs, or natural ledges in caves. He nodded upward. Sitting quietly in the rock balconies above us, tau tau effigies of the dead reached out with chipped wooden hands. “It is OK, I know it is different for you, but think of it as a celebration not a sad time.” I must have been silent for a while, as Ithos sensed my wonder (or unease) and offered to take me to see his family’s tongkonan for a change of scenery. The drive from the town of Rantepao into the countryside was a pretty one, full of rice paddies and giant bamboo, punctuated only by swerving to avoid dogs sleeping on the road. As we approached his family’s traditional tongkonan my jaw dropped. Intricately carved, elaborately painted, saddleback-roofed houses stood before me, reaching to the sky. That is, until I was corrected. “No no, not those,” smiled Ithos, “They are only alang , rice barns. There are our tongkonan ”. Facing north stood three giant houses, their distinctive shape representing the prows of ships that brought the original Toraja across the Java Sea and up the Sa'dan river. The architectural beauty was only surpassed by the extraordinary number of buffalo horns adorning the front of the house. When it comes to tongkonan size does matter, with social status measured by evidence of sacrificial ceremonies. As luck would have it I was about to find out where all these buffalo came from as the Bolu market was being held in town. The market, held unhelpfully ’every six days’, is a raucous affair of yelling and haggling on top of crowing and grunting. The giant buffalo pen smelt like, well you know, as close inspections started on the most prized white-faced buffalo. The cost? I could pick up a small buffalo to take home for about 14,500,000 Indonesia Rupiah ($1000 US dollars). Something bigger? I'd be dropping a cool 50mil at least. When it comes to tongkonan size does matter, with social status measured by evidence of sacrificial ceremonies. Bolu market is also where a canny Torajan can pick up a winning investment – in the form of a rooster. Although betting on cock fighting is not officially allowed, a blind eye is turned in the case of celebrations or funerals. Before me, men crouched, holding their prized roosters before challenging others to a mock fight (no blades). By proving their rooster’s prowess, through speed and ‘efficiency’, the men get to put more Rupiah in their pocket. Knowing I was keen to explore the countryside, the next morning Ithos took me further into the hills. The name Toraja comes from “People of the uplands” and the geology of region naturally irrigates the numerous rice terraces. As we navigated between paddies the retreating mist gave way to early morning workers, passing slowly under Salamat Datang signs that welcomed visitors to each village. “You like rice?” Ithos asked half-jokingly. “Tonight, I take you to a favourite restaurant for bamboo in chicken.” Not quite knowing where to expect the bamboo to be but always keen to try local delicacies, you can imagine my relief when pa’piong ayam arrived - grilled chicken minced with vegetables and extra hearty Toraja spices, all sitting in a hollowed-out bamboo shoot. As we sat there discussing the price of buffalo, the roar of engines and horns got louder. We looked outside to see a procession of bikes, revved up motors and cheering passengers, slowly making their way up the street. Behind them in a cloud of fumes followed an ambulance. The motorcade was the Torajan way of paying respects to someone who had just died and was being returned to their village. They were now on the first part of their journey to puja , but would first rest in their home, receiving visitors and guests. Details Where: Toraja land, South Sulawesi, Indonesia When: July and August are the drier months when the ma’nene cleaning is held How: Fly into the new Toraja Airport (TRT), one hour’s drive from Rantepao Stay: Toraja Misiliana Hotel, including options to stay in a Toraja Tongkonan Suite Original publication: Otago Daily Times < Previous Next >

TRAVEL Heart of Texas Texas, United States Luckenbach, Texas, population 3, is a small town in the Hill Country west of San Antonio - an area known as much for its wildflowers and Harley-hugging roads as it is for being in the Bible Belt of America – a place where God meets guns, traffic yields to longhorns, and TexMex and ribs are a staple diet. Previous Next

TRAVEL ANL Bindaree Tasman Sea, Australia The ANL Bindaree, a Liberian-flagged freighter laden with 30,000 tones of freight and 24 crew, follows a little-known tradition of passengers on cargo ships, harking back to the days when cabins were set aside for owners and VIPs. Today they’re taken by people looking for a slow alternative to air travel, who are independent, have time to spare, and who just want to do something a little different. Previous Next