Sir Colin Meads described Friday night's opening of the new exhibition Hard on the Heels by Peter Bush, as a "record turn out".
The huge crowd of people who came to the Percy Thompson gallery to watch Sir Colin open the exhibit were got to see more than 100 photographs spanning the 60 years Peter spent immortalising some of the greatest moments in New Zealand rugby.
All the photographs are available to purchase and Percy Thomson Gallery director Sue Morton says there has been a lot of interest in the photos, with several already being purchased.
On Sunday afternoon Peter Bush hosted a question and answer session at Percy Thompson where a group of around 30, who Peter described as incredibly warm and welcoming, were introduced to the history surrounding his photographs that range from the controversial to humorous behind-the-scenes moments and feature All Blacks from Sir Brian Lahore, Bob Scott and Sir Wilson Whineray, to Ian Kirkpatrick, Colin Meads, Graham Mourie and Jonah Lomu, along with star players from other rugby nations.
Sue is hugely grateful for the support from the Stratford community.
"This exhibit has seen a whole new crowd of people come into the gallery which is so exciting,"she says, adding that the exhibit is unique as those who don't necessarily like art can appreciate the rugby and those who aren't rugby fans can admire the art.
Hard on the Heels has been travelling around New Zealand and will be featured at Percy Thompson until September 29, which is the last chance to see the images before the show's final whistle.