What’s On
Kinsey’s Den and Darkroom Open to the Public:
Ferrymead Heritage Park
Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 July, 2025
10am–4pm daily
For more information visit www.rewarendall.com or please email Rewa.
A New Chapter Begins in Kinsey’s Den
There’s something stirring in the shadows of Kinsey’s Den and Darkroom. The silver is flowing once more, stories are being etched into glass, and a century-old book has opened to a new page—right here at Ferrymead Heritage Park.
The Visitors Book is a living, breathing project honouring Christchurch’s role as a gateway to the Antarctic and the legacy of Sir Joseph Kinsey. Kinsey, a key supporter of early Antarctic expeditions, kept a visitors book in his den, capturing the names and stories of the men who ventured south—including his dear friend Captain Robert Falcon Scott. The final entry in the original book recorded the coordinates of Scott’s final resting place.
Now, more than a century later, the book reopens.
Supported by the Canterbury Museum, a display of the original Visitors Book will open on 21 July at Tūranga Library, marking the Christchurch opening of the 20th Doc Edge Film Festival, a celebration of the world’s best documentary storytelling. On display along side the Visitors Book is photographic equipment used during this heroic era on loan from the Canterbury Photography Museum.
As part of the festival, Kinsey’s Den and Darkroom will open to the public for a special immersive weekend on 26 & 27 July. Step inside Kinsey’s Den and Darkroom and become part of the legacy.
Visitors are invited to:
View Kinsey's Visitors Book on display at Tūranga
Scroll through the giant digital version on screen.
Step in side Kinseys Den and explore the original darkroom where history was developed
Witness the alchemical dance of wet plate photography
Share your own Antarctic adventure stories
Photographic alchemist Rewa Rendall will guide guests through this unique experience—reviving a craft once practised by Herbert Ponting, photographer to Scott’s expedition, and capturing silver portraits on glass in Kinsey’s original darkroom.
The project recently won the IMMERSIVE category at the 2025 Doc Edge Festival, where the Auckland installation featured a 3M 209 duplication machine—brought back to life with a whisper of history and a flicker of light.
The 209 machine tells the story of Karl Marshall, a gentle Ferrymead whose Monday morning phone call changed Antarctic history. In 1975, Karl, a 3M technician, received a service call from the US Marshall. Normally, copiers were flown to Christchurch. But this time, there were no machines—only one seat left on a plane heading south. By Friday, Karl found himself at the South Pole with a screwdriver in his hand, servicing the frozen 209.
Now, the 209 has been resurrected, and so has Karl’s story—his signature and story starts the new chapter in the Visitors Book.
Come celebrate with us. Step into the darkroom. Leave your mark. Let this new chapter begin where the last one paused.
Thank you to Friends of Ferrymead for keeping the fire lit and opening the doors to such a remarkable chapter in history.
Become a Vendor at the Ferrymead Night Market!
The Ferrymead Night Market is held on the first Saturday of each month from 4 PM to 8 PM, excluding January, June, July, and August. The market features a variety of food and craft stalls, beer and cider, live music, and heritage attractions. Please note that trains and trams operate during the event for an additional fee, and display buildings are open for visitors. Dogs are welcome, provided they are on a leash.
If you're interested in becoming a vendor at our Night Market, we invite you to apply by completing the application form available on our website. Please be aware that submitting an application registers your interest but does not guarantee a stall space, as we receive many applications but have limited availability.
Terms and Conditions:
Application Process: By completing the Google Form, you are requesting to book a stall at the Ferrymead Night Market.
Confirmation and Payment: Upon receiving your form, we will contact you to confirm space availability for your specified date and send an invoice. Your site is not confirmed until we receive payment of your invoice.
Cancellation Policy: Please notify us prior to the Night Market if you are unable to attend to receive a refund or transfer of funds to a later market. Failure to advise us before the day of the market will still incur the normal vendor fee.
Power and Lighting: Generally, we do not provide power, so this will need to be supplied by you. Please advise if you require power for a fee of $20.00. During late autumn and early spring, when it gets dark before 8 PM, we will have light towers, but this may not provide sufficient light for your space, so you will need to provide battery-powered or solar-powered lighting.
For more information please contact us.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Ferrymead Night Market community!