John B. Turner’s exhibition Unwanted Treasures? offers an intimate look at his personal photographic works, showcasing decades of artistry and dedication to capturing the nuances of New Zealand’s landscapes, people, and stories. While the exhibition celebrates Turner’s artistic legacy, it also brings attention to a critical issue: the uncertain future of New Zealand’s photographic heritage.

As Turner has highlighted in his ‘New Zealand’s Photo Treasures Heading for the Tip?’ series for Photoforum, many valuable collections face threats from limited institutional resources, inadequate preservation efforts and the challenges of private archive management. This exhibition not only honours Turner’s contributions but also serves as a poignant reminder of the need for sustainable strategies and collaborative efforts to ensure that New Zealand’s visual history from unofficial sources is preserved for future generations.