The Seekers

A DigitalNZ Story by Ashleigh

"There is nothing for it but to try and see through our missions to the end, as best we can, for until we do so, we will be permitted no calm.” ― Kazuo Ishiguro, When We Were Orphans Many of these images show the fortitude – the patience, perseverance, and concentration – of those who are searching for something or someone. Others show the exhaustion and sadness of people who haven't found what they’re looking for. A few of these images show relief.

Image: Searching for the magnetic pole

Searching for the magnetic pole

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Seeking a community playground, 1977

Seeking a community playground, 1977

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Rural dances: Middlemarch ball, 2005

Rural dances: Middlemarch ball, 2005

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: (Sheep musterer with horse and lone sheep)

(Sheep musterer with horse and lone sheep)

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Digging up rabbit holes

Digging up rabbit holes

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Cyril Lee-Johnson, Northland

Cyril Lee-Johnson, Northland

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Lassie

Lassie

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Search dog and handler

Search dog and handler

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Woman hunter

Woman hunter

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Search party for lost tramper

Search party for lost tramper

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Pacific migrants

Pacific migrants

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: In search of Oblivion

In search of Oblivion

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki