New Zealand, Photography, Six Word Saturday

Rural New Zealand – Rust in Peace

Suzanne

I have been fascinated with capturing rural life and especially everything old, dilapidated, disused or abandoned for many years. They tell a rich story, sometimes requiring a vivid imagination to bring them alive.

What they were like when brand spanking new?

Commerial Buildings

Northland business no longer
Touting for business?

We have many scenic places around New Zealand where photographers could lose themselves. This might be why I was so overwhelmingly drawn to capturing abandoned buildings and houses, as they starkly contrast their surroundings. These abandoned businesses highlight the struggles of once-thriving towns. An eyesore to some and an important part of our country’s journey and history to others.

Repurposed buildings – East Coast, North Island

Rural Homes

Then there are these abandoned homes; it is easy to forget the day-to-day history and forget where we’ve come from and what we are.

East Coast old house and abandoned buildings next to horticultural land growing brassicas
With a fast-beating heart, I hoped this pig wasn’t heading my way in a hurry.
Hung out to dry

I am reminded of the mundane things in history, the washing on a long wire attached to trees or posts in the ground, propped up with another wooden batten, being whipped about by a westerly.

The iconic rural landscape

Then when the day’s work is done, you can visualise a retro ashtray standing placed between two chairs in the lounge, waiting for it’s owners to be welcomed home. The whistling kettle on the stove. Cabbage and potatoes in various pots that will be boiled longer than necessary and all to accompany the roast sizzling in the oven. In summer, flies buzz even with a flyscreen door or the crackling sounds from the fireplace during winter.

Rural Vehicles

All in a row

Then there are the vehicles that were once the pride and joy of their owners.

This car has now become a piece of unofficial artwork in the rural landscape
Moss-covered trees and a bird-splattered truck

Driven proudly about town, parked while chatting with other folks before groceries and farm supplies are gathered, a quick visit to the sale yards or heading back to work, then eventually returning home.

Head above the others

Unlike the cows, I am a bit late as it’s now Sunday – Joining in with Six on Saturday

Published by Suzanne

Travel and Life Musings from New Zealand and Beyond. . . . . . .

40 thoughts on “Rural New Zealand – Rust in Peace”

    1. Thanks Anabel, I can imagine many older buildings made out of rimu or other native timbers and worth a fortune. Coal is pretty much a product that isn’t used now as fires are either banned in some cities or frowned upon.

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  7. I love the photos — maybe one of the most interesting things to me is the difference between these rural NZ old buildings and those all around me which are mostly log or adobe. Thank you, also, for the calf. Those little guys are all around right now and a joy to watch.

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  9. What a fantastic post! I love this sort of thing and like you am often drawn to photograph these signs of decay and dilapidation. And you’ve done such a wonderful job with these images! I especially love the ones with the brassicas and the pig (great use of a lower viewpoint), ‘Hung out to dry’, the car with the tree growing out of it, and that final shot of the cow. And I also very much enjoyed your text, in particular your visualisation of life in these properties with the standing ash-tray and over-cooked vegetables 😆

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  13. Fabulous shot with the brassicas, Suzanne. That’s such a big house to be standing empty. You do wonder what happened there. Love the house with the cows shot, too. Have a great week!

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  15. What a fantastic collection, Suzanne! I love them all, especially the abandoned buildings with the brassicas, and the “head above” shot. Very unique perspectives. All wonderful. You have an artful eye, indeed.

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