“You don’t take pictures; the good ones happen to you.” – Ernst Haas

Brooks Institute sponsored the "Focus On New Zealand” project, which brought together leading international and local photographers in 1985 to help support the New Zealand Center for Photography. The formation for the Center was announced by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. David Lange, at a reception for the Focus on New Zealand group in Wellington on April 22, 1985. That began Ernst's lectures and close relationship with the school, its students, faculty, and staff until his sudden death in September of 1986. His contributions to photography inspired and influenced all of us, but it was his experiences and thoughts about life that were appreciated even more.