100 Kiwi faces from all walks of life

Isabel Watterson says she's determined to be the world's best skiier. Photo / Stuart Robinson

By Luke Kirkness
Kiwi heroes, fighters and outcasts have been captured in a photographic campaign dedicated to giving 100 New Zealanders from all walks of life a chance to tell their story.

The photographers - Stu Robertson, Michael Farr and Simon Woolf - say the inspiration of the project was to capture people's stories beyond face value.

The diverse New Zealanders - from Olympians and youth workers, to drug addicts and musicians -answered questions designed to gain insight into their lives, including whether they're happy, whether they feel part of society, what inspires them, and how many times they have failed.

Isabel Watterson was one of those photographed.

"I love skiing more than anything in the world," she says.

"I want to be number one in the world ... I don't want anything to stop me," she said.

"I am determined and I'll try harder if someone says no."

Peter Pepper, a barber from Karori, is also featured.

"I try to get the best out of everyone in front of me, regardless of age and gender," he said.

"Nothing makes my day more than finding someone discerning enough to know the difference between a good and bad haircut."

Leigh Robinson says people find goth culture unsettling. Photo / Supplied

Artist Elizabeth Caldwell loves how art integrates different subjects.

"Artists are always trying to reflect the world we live in."

"It's always telling stories and I think that's part of what captured me when I started studying art history at high school."

Firefighter Mateo Masina feels his work is appreciated. Photo / Supplied

Matasio Masina is an aviation firefighter at Auckland Airport.

"We know what we sign up for, I wouldn't say we're heroes - we're in it for everyone else.

"We do feel like while the public doesn't necessarily know we exist, when they do they're very appreciative of the work we do."

Elizabeth Caldwell says art always tells a story. Photo / Simon Woolf

Goth Leigh Robinson, meanwhile, says she's content but still looking for happiness.

"I'm an outcast.

"People look at me differently because I think they're afraid of what the gothic subculture stands for.

Barber Peter Pepper finding those discerning enough to tell a good haircut from a bad one makes his day. Photo / Simon Woolf

"At the end of the day, I just ignore it."

The project was the brainchild of Huawei and all photographs were shot on the company's P10 smartphone.

Click to view all 100 Portraits