Thomas Andrew (photographer)

Thomas Andrew (1855-1939) was a New Zealand photographer, ethnographer, and businessman. He is best known for his studio portraits, landscape photography, and documentation of Māori culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Andrew established a photography business in Wellington, New Zealand, which became highly successful. His studio produced a large volume of portraits of European settlers, politicians, and prominent figures.

Beyond studio work, Andrew traveled extensively throughout New Zealand, capturing landscapes and Māori communities. His photographs of Māori people are particularly significant, offering insights into their daily lives, customs, and art forms during a period of significant social and cultural change. These photographs provide valuable historical and anthropological documentation.

Andrew's work often included portraits of Māori leaders and individuals wearing traditional clothing and adornments. He also photographed whare (houses), meeting houses, and other significant cultural sites. His work is considered important for its contribution to the preservation of visual records of Māori life and culture, although some scholars have critiqued his work for potential biases inherent in the colonial context in which they were created.

Collections of Thomas Andrew's photographs are held in major libraries and archives in New Zealand, including the Alexander Turnbull Library and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. His legacy continues to be recognized for his substantial contribution to the photographic record of New Zealand's history and its people.