The Return of the Corner Dairy Project – Documenting a Disappearing Icon

Broadway, Stratford 4332, New Zealand

Back in 2020, I started a photography project I was quietly excited about: capturing New Zealand’s dairies – those humble, often quirky, always nostalgic corner stores that have long been part of our everyday lives. Then, life happened (as it tends to), and the project got shelved.

Now, in 2025, it’s time to dust it off. Not just because I love the colours, the signs, the character, or the occasional wonky hand-painted Coke logo – but because they’re disappearing.

Why Dairies?

For many people growing up in Aotearoa, the dairy was more than just a place to grab milk and a newspaper. It was:

• A first taste of independence (walking there with a crumpled $2 note).

• The provider of emergency bread and ice blocks.

• The local social hub for neighbourhood banter.

Each one has a personality – and that’s what makes photographing them so compelling. No two are the same, and many are gloriously unpolished.

Why They’re Disappearing

The sad truth is, corner dairies are closing down at an alarming rate. Here’s why:

• Economic pressure – rising rents, low margins, and the dominance of supermarkets.

• Changing shopping habits – online delivery and bulk shopping have taken over.

• Crime and safety concerns – increased robberies and ram raids have pushed many owners out.

• Generational shifts – younger generations aren’t taking over the family store.

The result? Empty shells where thriving community spaces once stood.

Restarting the Project

I’ve decided to re-ignite the project and do it properly. That means:

• Photographing dairies all across NZ – from big-city suburbs to forgotten rural roads.

• Capturing them in context – showing the community around them.

• Recording stories from owners (where possible).

• Documenting the ones that are already abandoned.

This isn’t just about nostalgia – it’s visual history. In ten years, we might wish someone had bothered to document them properly.