The Marti Friedlander Archive is one of the most important archival repositories of a New Zealand photographer’s work. She took photographs almost every day, either for herself or on assignment, as well as working at times as a studio photographer. Her incredible body of work includes irreplaceable portraits of many of the major political and artistic figures in post-war New Zealand, along with images of the very last Māori women to wear the customary chin tattoo (Moko Suite). Her documentation of protests and demonstrations, including those relating to the women’s movement and nuclear disarmament are a cultural touchstone for many New Zealanders.

Each image in the archive demonstrates Friedlander’s unique perspective and as a whole is an indelible record of New Zealand life in the second half of the 20th century.