Peter Bush, Dan Carter Kicking 2008, Collection of Te Manawa, Courtesy of the Bush Family. All rights reserved (the image cannot be reused).

Former All Black and rugby legend Dan Carter has lent his support to a Peter Bush Charity Auction Evening to be held at Palmerston North’s Te Manawa Museum. This event, scheduled for Thursday 8 August will feature a selection of prints of Peter Bush’s iconic rugby photographs as well as donated rugby paraphernalia including a signed copy of Carter’s book “1958”, generously donated by Carter himself. Former Black Ferns captain Dame Farah Palmer and prominent sports journalist Hamish McKay are also adding their support to this cause as the guest speakers at the event.

Money raised during the auction will fund the long-term project of digitising, cataloguing and exhibiting Bush’s extensive archive of images, which are being cared for by Te Manawa Museum, with the support of the New Zealand Rugby Museum and the Bush family.

Peter Bush, Dan Carter Kicking 2008, Collection of Te Manawa, Courtesy of the Bush Family. All rights reserved (the image cannot be reused).

Peter Bush had been taking pictures since the 1940s and built up a huge archive of historically important sporting and cultural images. He is particularly renowned as a rugby photographer and has been capturing the All Blacks since his first assignment as news photographer for the New Zealand Herald in 1949.
The collection of his work comprises thousands of photographs, each telling a story of triumph, camaraderie, and passion. The scale of this collection is awe-inspiring, spanning iconic matches, legendary players, and the spirit of the game itself.

Collections Manager Juliet Galuszka emphasises the significance of Bush’s work. “From rugby to tramping, farming to emergencies, Peter was recording New Zealand’s heritage as it happened. With thousands of items to be catalogued, the mountain of boxes is a little daunting, but it’s a huge privilege to be working with Bushy’s legacy.”

Chief Executive Susanna Shadbolt echoes this sentiment. “The Peter Bush Collection is one of national significance. It reflects our identity, our heritage, and our grit. By supporting this auction, attendees are contributing to the conservation and accessibility of this iconic historical photojournalism.”

For more information on the event and tickets for the silent auction can be found here.