Spectrum 816. The lensman

Best known as a veteran of the rugby sideline, photographer Peter Bush talks about his career and travels since joining the New Zealand Herald as a cadet in the late 1940s.

He grew up in Kumara, on the West Coast. His interest in photography began with a move to Auckland, and the acquisition of his first camera - a box brownie. His career in photography began at the New Zealand Herald as a Cadet Photographer. He recalls the use of glass plates in the darkroom.

He speaks about his early career, including recording the arrival of ships and their passengers at the Auckland waterfront. He recalls his travels also, starting with taking a ship called the 'Barbedo' to Port Lincoln in Australia. He calls the ship a "hell ship", and describes the journey.

He then speaks about rugby photography in the 1960s. He describes the work, and says the first big game he covered was a test match in 1949. He tells stories from various rugby games he photographed, and players he knew.