[1] In 1980, Jowitt traveled the United States on an educational trip which would spark his interest in cultural photography.
[1] Jowitt met Ruth Lester, a former editor for Life magazine, while visiting the International Center of Photography in New York City.
Lester looked at Jowitt's photographs and noticed the number of Pacific Islander immigrants featured in his pictures, which had been taken in the vicinity of Karangahape Road and Queen Street in Auckland.
[1] She believed that the Pacific community would reshape the cultural life of Auckland, similar to how Hispanic growth had changed the face of New York City.
[1] Jowitt returned to Auckland, where he focused on documenting the Pacific Island communities in the city's Grey Lynn and Ponsonby neighbourhoods through photography.