"Whakaahua" is a body of work telling a story of transformation; as young New Zealanders embark on their journey to join the Regular Force of the New Zealand Army │ Ngāti Tūmatauenga.
Basic Training is the first small, but significant step towards their future career in service. Leadership principles such as the pursuit of excellence, the forging of personal resilience, and discipline form the foundations of Basic Training. With the development in fundamental military skillsets, our country’s young men and women are equipped with the right skills, knowledge and attributes for their chosen career path.
With over 40 different trades on offer in the New Zealand Army, the soldiers who graduate the course are ready for the next challenge in their vocational pathway. It all starts with ‘day one’.
“Whakaahua" embodies their 13 week journey.
Craig Andrew Madsen has been a photographer for over 30 years working both nationally and internationally. In 2017 Craig began documenting the New Zealand Army, spending 18 months in the field to produce an exhibition called He Hōia Ahau - I Am Soldier. Now based in Waiouru, Craig has continued his work with the New Zealand Army, focusing on The Army Depot (TAD) which trains each intake of new recruits.
“It’s truly a privilege to witness and photograph this now13-week process at TAD. The recruits’ transformation in confidence, self-belief and mana from week one to graduation is simply incredible.
I simply wish to provide a record and document these personnels’ service to our country, and in doing so providing their families with an opportunity to capture that experience and growth.
I hope that my photographs can stimulate memories and emotion within our servicemen and women, and resonate with the New Zealand Army of the past and present. If they can place themselves, and recall their own journeys in my photographs, I believe I am on the right path. All my photography with the army is black and white, and this plays a key role in establishing that connection; black and white photographs require thought and imagination from the audience, it doesn’t give it all away.”
