Waikino Memorial and Bridge

Deep in the heart of Waikino in the Hauraki District of Karangahake Gorge off the main highway lies this wall of Memorial Artwork.  The year was 1981 and at 5pm one night shocking news came through that the small town had been washed away by a huge torrent of water into the gorge. Three local men rowed a boat to the local Waikino Hotel to help those who were stranded by the tide but those in the premises didn't want to leave. In the 2nd mosaic on the art wall is a design of the rowboat in question.

The bridge and the art wall were opened in 2016 and the panels were designed by artists Michael Cole, Trevor Heighway, Irene Wilcocks, Christine Burne, Michael O'Donnell, Shona Laing (the NZ singer) and Con Kiernan - all of whom had ties to the area.

Apparently the panels incorporate six mixed media showing aspects of the area such as early flora and fauna, Maori history, Victorian battery mining days, art of another era, the flood and the after affects plus future vision for the town.

Interestingly the only 2 buildings which survived the flood are the Waikino Hotel and the local town hall - both of which are still in use today.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday and My Corner of the World.

Golden Cross Hotel Waihi 1899

The Golden Cross Hotel in Waihi pretty much gives it's information away with it's name. Waihi located in the Hauraki District of NZ is made up of a rich gold mining history and was named as the "Golden Cross Mining" region.

This is a 2 story wooden building with an iron roof but the outside has been clad in brick and concrete. It was built in 1899, has 17 rooms and a dining room. It was originally placed in Waitekauri but was later moved to Waihi. Firstly used as a hotel it is now popular with backpackers.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Flooding in Paeroa

The Bay of Plenty has had bits and pieces of rain and bad weather over Winter but last week when my daughter and I drove through the Hauraki District of Paeroa we saw first hand just how much more they have had than us. We stopped and turned off into a side road so I could take this photo. This area, above has the bridge over the water so people can drive to Auckland, usually the river just flows naturally but it looks like it had badly burst - in fact further to the left there was drainage which was bubbling high in the air, I think it was struggling to cope with it all.

And when I looked to our right here is the farmland up next door, thankfully the cows are safe in their paddocks and that the rain hadn't reached them. This area of land is quite flat and is quite prone to flooding.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.