Sharing My Neighbourhood - physical book

Debbie Wareing is a keen amateur photographer, and has been a resident of Hataitai, Wellington for 12 years. She has produced several personal photo books over the last few years for the enjoyment of friends and family. She has also had photos published as a finalist in the Kiwi Gardener magazine Bird Competition in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Sharing My Neighbourhood is a photo journal of Debbie’s personal experience leading up to and then living in self-isolation in her bubble for 38 days under COVID-19 enforced Lockdown.

As something to focus on, and as extra motivation to get out and about during Lockdown, Debbie documented its effects on her own neighbourhood – posting photos and commentary on social media.

300 of those photos are featured in Sharing My Neighbourhood. From the empty streets to the closed shops, the chalk messages of support on the pavement, the beautiful views around Wellington, the innovative ANZAC poppies, the autumn colours and all the ‘teddies’ placed in windows for the kids to seek out as part of the New Zealand Bear Hunt – they are all captured here to preserve these memories.

Debbie’s photos are complemented by personal narrative, interesting points of local history, snippets of dialogue from the daily Ministry of Health media updates, and the full transcripts of the significant addresses to the nation from the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern.

Sharing My Neighbourhood is not just an engaging collection of photos from a historic time, but a keepsake, and a real reminder of community spirit in the Wellington region and in New Zealand during an unprecedented time in history.

Debbie is donating a share of her profits from book sales to the redevelopment of Hataitai Bowling Club.

Sharing My Neighbourhood is a landscape soft-covered book 270mmx300mm.