Poignant moments captured in a thought-provoking collection of the world's most
powerful images of 2013 will be showcased at the Auckland premiere of the
internationally-renowned World Press Photo Exhibition.
It was the year New Zealand was robbed of the America's Cup by Oracle, Nelson
Mandela died, the Boston Marathon was bombed and 60 people lost their lives in a
four-day shopping mall siege in Nairobi.
Now in its 57th year, the exhibition features the best images chosen from almost
100,000 entered into the World Press Photo competition by 5,700 photographers from
around the world. This is the fifth consecutive year that Auckland Rotary Club has
brought the exhibition to New Zealand.
"Each time we host this exhibition, we are reminded how relatively peaceful New
Zealand is, and how fortunate we are given all that is happening in the world," Craig
Dealey, president of Auckland Rotary says.
"Rotary supports global awareness, and the quest for international harmony. And this
exhibition is a graphic reminder of the world's obligations to its people, here and
overseas. We hope that bringing this exhibition to Auckland will make people more
internationally aware, and perhaps more socially responsible."
Judged in Amsterdam, the prize-winning photographs are assembled into a travelling
exhibition that is viewed by over a million people in 40 countries.
The top prize was won by American photographer John Stanmeyer, for a National
Geographic magazine shot of African migrants on the shore of Djibouti city at night,
raising their phones to try to get reception from neighbouring Somalia.
"If they move their phone in the air they will get a signal," Stanmeyer says.
"That is the tenuous link that connects us all together."
2014 World Press Photo Exhibition, Auckland PR Manager Hayley McLarin 021 836130
The exhibition also features a series by Wellington-born, human rights photographer
Robin Hammond on the treatment of mental health sufferers in South Sudan; and
Getty Images photographer Ezra Shaw's coverage of the America's Cup in San
Francisco.
The World Press Photo Exhibition is being held on the top floor of Smith & Caughey's,
Queen Street, Auckland, from July 5 to July 27.
The entry fee is $10 for adults and $5 for students. Parental discretion is advised.