The ‘Glimpse of the Past’ exhibition at the National Archives showcasing Johnson’s Photographic Studio images from the Cook Islands in the 1960s to 80s, sparks nostalgic memories for viewers.

Capturing moments frozen in time, photographs have the unique ability to transcend time and evoke profound emotional responses.

In the back of the National Archives, amidst the soft glow of nostalgic lighting, Tauranga Vananga Ministry of Cultural Development launched the “Glimpse of the Past” Johnson’s Photographic Studio exhibition of images in the Cook Islands from the 1960s to the 80s.

In her opening address, chief archivist Paula Paniani acknowledged the late Margot Johnson who had gifted their Johnson’s Photographic Studio photographs, proof contacts and negatives to the National Archives in 1988. The National Archives was then run by George Paniani.

Those proofs and negatives were digitised in 2014-15 with the help of the Cook Islands UNESCO Commission when two Microtek scanners were purchased to produce the prints that were on display.

Johnson’s Photographic Studio photographs of Teachers and Trainees. MELINA ETCHES/24011918

Since the inaugural Johnson’s Photographic Exhibition at Tauranga Vananga in 2016, Paula had been liaising with the late Bill Johnson (son of Margot), who was raised in Rarotonga and sadly passed away 2023.

She read Bill’s note, originally read by his dear friend Freddy Webb at the opening of the first Johnson’s exhibition in the Cook Islands in 2016 to celebrate 50 years of self-governance.

“Photography is a very powerful way to communicate. It is an expression of time and what you are seeing here is Cook Islands history. A lot of these photographs were very important years of development for the Cook Islands and even more so for Rarotonga itself,” Bill Johnson’s note read.

“Photography freezes time and in doing so, it stores and captures the emotions and feelings of the photographers behind the camera and it does so within a split second.

“Being a professional photographer is not always easy. In fact, there are times that it can be extremely hard work, because the photographer needs to find that perfect time.”

The photographic display captured the audience of a generation now in their sixties and seventies, as they gathered to recall names and faces of their former school mates, friends, family and teachers, re-kindling the embers of long forgotten connections.

Former Tereora College students Ioana Taiki and Meleaone Tumii, who was the Head Girl, both in their 70s, were delighted to see images that were shot at school over 55 years ago jogging their memories.

Their youthful laughter shone through as they sometimes struggled to discover people’s names.

“I’m grateful they are having this exhibition,” shares Tumii.

“I’m happy that there are public records of photographs that are part of our history.

“My children can see these, and this also helps jog the memory…”

Tumii is also pictured in a netball photo from her time on a Cook Islands netball team from New Zealand that toured Rarotonga in the late 70s.

“We came to Rarotonga having being selected from Tokoroa, Wellington, Auckland and Hastings,” says Tumii, “Margaret Kamana (Matenga) was a star at the time and she didn’t come with us because of her engagements with the Silver Ferns.”

“Vaine Areora was our manager, Nooroa Tekeu from Titikaveka was our vice-captain, and Bill was our photographer at the Are Kaute residential up at Tereora College.”

Freddy Webb, a former sub-editor of Hansard at Parliament, went to primary school with Bill Johnson, and stayed in touch with the renowned photographer later in life.

“We grew up together as kids. I knew his mum Margot very well, she used to come around and liked my Mum’s pumpkin pie,” shares Webb who was pleased to see the photographs displayed once again.

“It’s very nostalgic.

“It’s nice to know that the past is still taken care of because without this you wouldn’t know.

“At this time, we should have these photos always available, keep all this out for people to see.”

In 1975, Sonny Williams, Member of Parliament for Titikaveka and former Secretary of Tauranga Vananga, was a student at Avarua Primary school.

At the exhibition, he spots a picture of himself in a Grade 6 class photo.

“This (exhibition) is really great,” says Williams who recalled the first time the exhibition was held was when he was the Secretary of Tauranga Vananga.

“I like to come back and look at these … it’s a lifetime event.”

He also acknowledged the late George Paniani, Tom Tixier and Rangi Moeka’a who were dedicated in preserving Cook Islands heritage and archives.

Emile Kairua, acting Secretary of Tauranga Vananga, acknowledged the dignitaries and the work of the staff, and the support of the New Zealand government.

Around 80 people attended the launch including Minister for Tauranga Vananga Minister George “Maggie” Angene, Tui Dewes – New Zealand High Commissioner, and former Tereora College, Apii Avarua, and Nikao Side School students.

Johnson’s Photographic Studio was owned and operated by Bob and Margot Johnson in the 1960s, later passing the torch to their son, Bill Johnson.

The “Glimpse of the Past” exhibition is open through February. A4 prints are available for purchase framed ($15) or laminated ($10).