Ahaura Carvings

On our way to Reefton recently we passed through the small town of Ahaura which is about 40 minutes from Greymouth. It is literally a very small town which has houses, a pub and I think a local store from memory. I stopped to take a photo of this tiny cottage which has alot of Maori and Pasifika carvings outside it. I'm not sure who owns it but it sure is unique.

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

Dinosaurs

A mural from Murchison - this one I saw on the side of a small old building that was selling Pounamu and wood carvings. It's slightly faded but I can just make out scenery, trees and a Dinosaur so I'm guessing that whoever the artist was, they were sharing a glimpse of what New Zealand once looked like.

Linking up with Mural Monday

Paihia I-site

 

All around New Zealand we have little wee buildings that are designated as i-sites aka information places for tourists where they have knowledge on local places and businesses etc. This one in Paihia is located right next to the wharf and has a Maori carving (pou) on either side which were created by artist Tupari Te Whata from Tautoro which is south of Kaikohe. 

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

We have a decision!

So....we have a decision on where we will move to. The other half had a talk with his area manager who has given him the go ahead on moving and working back in Kerikeri. We are stoked! Yesterday I drove the 2 hours there and back to look at a rental property, we have applied for 2 so fingers crossed we get something. There were quite a few people viewing the one I looked at so obviously I think rentals are hard to come by up there.

On the way back I stopped in Moerewa to take a photo of their local Otiria Marae. I have a thing for Maori Maraes - I just love the carvings and the artwork on the buildings.  I never go straight onto a Marae, it's like someone barging into your own house without being invited - I always take photos outside the boundary, it's more respect than anything.

The history of it is that in 1950 Judge Pritchard of the Maori Land Court opened the war memorial hall, on the left of this photo. The tablet on the outside is dedicated to the memory of the pakeha and maori men who gave their lives for their country. 3 years later the work began on the Marae - the carvings were begun by Eramiha Kapua and finished by Hori Waititi. Governor General Sir Bernard Fergusson opened it in 1964.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Ngati Manuhiri - Iwi Guardians

It's been an interesting week so far. Yesterday I started at the new job, I found out it is only casual work over Christmas which suits me far more than permanent work. It means if and when we decide to move I'm not tied down.

Anyway I discovered this Pou Whenua (land post) on our last visit to Goat Island.  I have a thing for carvings and sculptures, I think they're extremely artistic. This one reminds me of a Maori Taniwha stands at the entrance and looks out over the protected marine reserve. I'm not sure who the artist is but it belongs to a local tribe of Ngati Manuhiri who used this area once upon a time as a good gathering place traditionally handed down from their Hawaiki ancestors.

Opotiki Maori Pou

This rather impressive carved pou (post) sits in the middle of one of the main streets of Opotiki in the Bay of Plenty. Apparently it represents a variety of activities from the 19th century settlement of the town including including agriculture, horticulture and trading.

Behind the carving is a historical building known locally as the Old Bridger's Building and was once a drapery store. Over the years it has been used as a government office building, for education, dental surgery, factory workshop and a restaurant/cafe.  These days there is a small mural on one side and a jeweler's on the other side but there are various buildings in this town that look just as empty and unused.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday and Wednesday Around the World.

Maori waves in Paihia

We were in Paihia earlier this week and as we turned into where a market day was being held this sculpture caught my eye. I'm not sure who created it, I have researched but haven't had any luck. To me it looks like it symbolizes waves or water - behind it is a souvenir shop on the wharf. Paihia is very busy from October until late March as the cruise ships stop here when they are in port so there were alot of people exploring the town.

Linking up with Wednesday around the world.

Maori carvings at Paihia

New Zealand is full of wonderfully creative Maori carvings. These ones are located in Paihia, next to the Te Teriti O Waitangi house.

They are also known as Pou or Pouwhenua - Pou meaning "pillar" and Whenua meaning "land", painted red and black they certainly stand out.

Cable Bay sealife sculptures

Cable Bay also known as Taipa in Northland, NZ is just absolutely stunning. We stopped off here on our road trip to check out this beach and couldn't help but stop and admire these sculptures for sale on the grass verge.

These fish, whales, dolphins and other sea creatures are made from various types of wood and include pieces of paua shell for eyes and other decorations.

The young man who was selling them owns his own gypsy type truck and looked like a bit of a hobo but honestly those are the best type of people to meet in life.

Let me tell you I was very very tempted to buy some. They were ranging from $50nzd to $500nzd and they would've looked great on a wall in our apartment but sadly all of our money was destined to be spent on petrol and living expenses while we were up there.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday for this one :-)

Ruaihona Marae, Te Teko

One thing I have a fascination with are Maori Maraes. When we are out driving and I see a signpost I try to stop outside there and take photos - I think it's the architecture and artistic carvings that interest me. Ruaihona Marae is on the edge of the Rangitaiki River in Te Teko. There are 2 other Maraes in the area; Tuteao and Uiraroa.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday :-)

Huhurua Park

Yesterday on a quiet day off we drove out to Huhurua Park, about half an hour out of Tauranga so the other half could fly his drone, as it turned out his battery for it wasn't charged so I walked around the grounds with my camera anyway.

Apparently on the site there use to be a Maori Pa, although there wasn't any direct evidence of such as the ruins are probably long gone there is still these carvings which have been placed there to show what was once there. 

The view from the edge of the cliff over Omokoroa and Plummer's Point show the tide out in the harbour and the flame tree on the right adds some vibrant colour.

Lake Karapiro Kowhai and Carvings

When you're on a road trip it's nice to pull off the main highway and explore some unfamiliar surroundings. Normally people go camping from Summer through to Autumn, however we spotted these campers who set up their tent and caravan on Lake Karapiro in early September (Spring in NZ).

Although it was a dismal overcast rain on/off again day it was nice to see some colour such as these Maori carvings and a Kowhai tree behind it flowering.

These trees that bloom in bright yellow flowers are native to New Zealand and feed native birds such as Tui, Kaka and Pigeon and Bellbird.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday :-)