Paihia Bollards

These cuties and others sit along the Paihia waterfront. Part of the Pahia Focus Group the idea came from Katja Caulton and was discussed with members of the community who decided on finding 5 characters that represented the town. They ended up setting on a fish, fisherman, wahine (Maori woman), sailor and a diver - only 3 are shown here.

It took Russell artist Noel Wynyard 8 months to carve the bollards and Darina Denali painted them with local Grant Harnish installing them in 2017. I think they are a quirky addition to Paihia.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday, Travel Tuesday, Tuesday Treasures, Through my lens, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Tales from the Mosaic Chair

In 2012 the Focus Pahia Group came together to create this Mosaic seating area near the waterfront. Organisers of the Mosaic Chair project had a vision:  that residents and visitors to Paihia would relax on their beautiful artwork while gazing out at nature’s beautiful artwork, The Bay of Islands.

This project was our longest running and the one that attracted the largest number of volunteers. The mosaic chair was crafted by “hands-of-the-world” – passersby, often visiting town from overseas or other parts of New Zealand,  took part in laying the mosaic pieces!  In true phantom style sections of the mosaic were worked on at home and applied to the chair when ready. The wooden seating (wood slats left over from the Bay Belle project) was designed and crafted off-site and installed just before the unveiling. Today, the mosaic chair is photographed and utilised daily, having place of pride on Paihia’s waterfront.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday, Tuesday Travels, Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, Wordless Wednesday, My corner of the world.

Fishing for compliments

 Another mural from Paihia this week and one I spotted on a bench seat outside a shop. Not sure who painted it but I'd say it's probably part of the "Focus Paihia" campaign. Pretty and unusual isn't it?

Linking up with Mural Monday.

Paihia Rotary Mural

 While looking for murals last time we were in Paihia I saw this one on a bench chair outside the Paihia War Memorial Hall. Painted as part of the Focus Paihia Project this one was chosen for their 50th birthday celebrations in February 2013.  A competition was held, members had 3 weeks to design and construct a seat that would be quirky, colorful and and eye catching while promoting both Rotary and the Bay of Islands Rotary Club branch. This one won a $100 prize which was used by the club for further community projects.

Linking up with Mural Monday.

Kokako by Erika Pearce

 Another mural I spotted on the side of a building recently in Paihia. This one is also painted by artist Erika Peace (like the one I shared on the side of a cliff) and it's called "Kokako" as part of the Focus Paihia Project. "Kokako" is the maori word for our Blue Wattled Crow, a species which was endangered but is now slowly recovering. These birds live in various parts of the north island of NZ such as Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Little Barrier, Tiritiri Matangi Islands etc, they have a blue grey body, a striking black mask over their face and blue wattles under the throat.

Also on the mural is a depicting of fish which live in the Bay of Islands along with red Pohutukawa flowers and green Kawakawa leaves.

Linking up with Mural Monday.