Founded in 1956 as the Howick Camera Club with a 25-shilling subscription, the society now has about 90 members and remains one of the country’s largest
The Howick Photographic Society has reached its 70th year, seven decades on from its first meeting as the Howick Camera Club in 1956.
The Howick Local Board marked the milestone at its meeting on 28 May, in an acknowledgement moved by member Adele White.
“This talented club hosts exhibitions of their beautiful work, and through community connections they are regularly engaged to attend local events with cameras in hand to capture the occasion,” the Board’s acknowledgement said.
“We extend our very best wishes to the Howick Photographic Society.”
When the club started in 1956, the annual subscription was 25 shillings, and there were only two other camera clubs in the whole of Auckland, according to the Board.
The club moved to the Howick Sailing Club in 1968, and later to its current home in the basement of the Howick Bridge Club.
It took its present name, the Howick Photographic Society, at its annual meeting in March 2019.
Seven decades on, the society has about 90 members and describes itself as one of the country’s largest and most active photographic clubs.
Now led by president Doug Mitchell, it is affiliated to the Photographic Society of New Zealand and draws members “at all stages of photography, from absolute beginners to professionals,” with more experienced members helping newer ones improve.
The club meets most Monday evenings from February to November, with a Zoom option for those who cannot get to the clubroom, and offers newcomers their first three sessions free.
Its reach extends well beyond its own meetings.
Last year the society worked with Auckland Council’s arts programme, Phantom Billstickers and the Howick Village Association on “Through Our Lens”, a community exhibition that Council staff said “celebrated HPS’s long-standing contribution to East Auckland, with strong local engagement”.
Members continue to exhibit their work locally and are a familiar presence at community events across the ward.
