The format is carte de visite so it’s quite likely that Mere Tawhara or her whanau commissioned it.
I’m surprised I can’t find a whole lot more about these people because both mother and daughter are wearing fine clothes and are obviously high status. On the daughter we can see a satin ribbon and tartan dress as well as what looks like a kahukiwi which is one of the most prestigious cloaks. However they do appear on some family trees so they are probably known about.
I did a search on the image for more information, but instead I noticed something cool
This exact post is the third result (I clicked through and checked the comments)
Cool, we’re hardly ever in search results.
Thanks to your lead I soon found the info. This is a portrait of Mere Tawhara and daughter Kimiora Maata Kotahi, both of Hawkes Bay, taken by Napier photographer Samuel Carnell.
Here is a more conventional picture of them not smiling.
The format is carte de visite so it’s quite likely that Mere Tawhara or her whanau commissioned it.
I’m surprised I can’t find a whole lot more about these people because both mother and daughter are wearing fine clothes and are obviously high status. On the daughter we can see a satin ribbon and tartan dress as well as what looks like a kahukiwi which is one of the most prestigious cloaks. However they do appear on some family trees so they are probably known about.
Tagging @PugJesus cos you like detail.
Bonus: here’s the current weather in Napier, Hawkes Bay
The Fediverse’s influence increases!