Home, land, homeland
In the scheme of things, people haven’t lived in New Zealand for very long. Looking at our relatively short history, it has been suggested that in this country ‘we are all immigrants’. This studio’s title, ‘Ideal Home(land)’ reminds us that it’s these waves of migration which have brought our population to these shores. And it’s the promise of home and land at the centre of ‘The New Zealand dream’ which continues to lure many to make New Zealand their homeland.
The allure of land ownership can be traced to the foundations of New Zealand’s complex colonial history, and New Zealand’s art history is a great record of these aspirations. Many early paintings were picturesque promises used to encourage immigration from England to this new colonial outpost. For those living in Britain’s overcrowded and polluted cities the drawcard was the seeming abundance of land waiting to be claimed, occupied, and utilised.
And as land was being reclaimed for harbours and bush was burned to make way for farmland, on a smaller scale throughout New Zealand’s history individuals and families have been reshaping the small pieces of earth they call home - creating stage and set for living out their own New Zealand dreams.
This emphasis on land and the picturesque landscape continue to be central to New Zealand’s self-perception as a desirable place to live and visit. There is an ongoing investment in the landscape as one of New Zealand tourism’s key selling points. In addition to describing a ‘variety of awesome landscapes’, the 100% Pure New Zealand Tourism website trumpets New Zealand as ‘gloriously uncrowded’ – perhaps the reasons New Zealand is valued as a place to live haven’t changed much at all.
How can we continue to offer those who live in New Zealand cities a high quality of life with access to green spaces and the outdoors? How can we maintain our relationship with the landscape even while our neighbours become closer and closer?
Come along to The Lab to join us in discussing these questions, and to see what possibilities are beginning to take shape.
By Emma Ng