Veterans immortalised in digital archive

Rotorua photographer Tracey Robinson and Rotorua war veteran Reg Wellington (centre left and right) with NZIPP commercial director Terry Hann (far left) and RSA chief David Moger.

The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographers has gifted 1600 portraits of World War II veterans to the RSA to form a digital archive for generations to come.

The gifting of the digital portraits was made at the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographers (NZIPP) awards dinner in Rotorua on Monday and was the result of NZIPP's project to take photographic portraits of all of New Zealand's remaining veterans.

NZIPP commercial director Terry Hann said more than 100 photographers across the country volunteered for the project and it was a privilege for members to use their profession to recognise the contribution of New Zealand's veterans.

"Many World War II veterans are now in their 90s and sadly some of those we have photographed have since passed away.

"We've been working hard to capture portraits before we lose more of our heroes," Mr Hann said.

"We've met incredible people and heard some remarkable stories of war.

"The end result is more moving than we could have imagined.

"The portraits are simple, but extraordinarily powerful," he said. RSA chief executive David Moger accepted the digital portraits on behalf of the RSA saying the RSA would create a digital archive for veterans, families, communities and New Zealand's generations to come.

"A picture is worth a thousand words and thanks to NZIPP and the veterans who took part, we now have 1600 pictures telling individual stories of service, courage, character and life," Mr Moger said.

The NZIPP World War II Veteran Portrait Project started on Anzac Day with hundreds of portraits taken at RSAs across the country. Each veteran who took part in the project will receive a presentation print of their portrait thanks to the generous support from sponsors, including Queensberry Albums, CR Kennedy and Croxley.