Eels and flax weaving

So I saw these murals on the sides of 2 buildings in Moerewa and from what I can make out it looks like an eel on the left hand side and some flax weaving on the right side. I have been trying to find the artist but as yet no luck. (Photos taken before lockdown).

Linking up with Mural Monday.

Rainbows in Moerewa

This rainbow mural in Moerewa has been painted on the side of one of the shops. It was organized by the local He Iwi Kotahi Tatou Trust.

Linking up with Mural Monday.

Red Moerewa Mural

 Another mural from Moerewa - this one painted by artist A. Dunn in 2015. It shows a Maori woman with a Ta moko (chin tattoo) which symbolizes family history and tribal affiliations along with a design flowing from the bottom to the top on the left hand side. 

Linking up with Mural Monday,

Ngapuhi Minds

 One of local shops in Moerewa has this mural on the front. I was unable to find out who painted it but the words "Ngati Hine Health Trust" are painted within it so maybe they have something to do with it. The trust was formed in 1987 to help address the health needs of local Maori to the area. The Ngapuhi tribe is associated with the Northland region of New Zealand centred mainly in Whangarei, Hokianga and the Bay of Islands.

So as Covid makes it's way continually around the world, the so called travel bubble we had going on with certain states in Australia seems to have blown up. One traveller, who apparently started feeling unwell on the plane over here from Sydney (I think) visited more than several places in Wellington (who is now in level 2) and now we are waiting to see if any cases come up. Somehow I don't think this so called travel bubble is a wise idea...

Linking up with Mural Monday.

All Blacks Moerewa mural

 Another mural this week from Moerewa, this one depicting the All Blacks rugby along with the fern, and next to it say the words "Waka Ama" which is a term distinguishing an outrigger canoe from other types of canoes. No idea who painted this one but it's nice to see a rendition of the late Jonah Lomu on there. 

Linking up with Mural Monday.

Moerewa Rugby Club Mural

 I spotted this mural in Moerewa recently painted on the side of their rugby club. No idea who painted it but it's sad that people have sprayed graffiti over parts of it. Even above, the window off the building seems to be falling off, in a state of disrepair even.  One of New Zealand's small quiet towns...

Linking up with Mural Monday.

Moerewa Meanderings

The main street of Moerewa, a service town for the surrounding farming industry in between Kawakawa and Kerikeri. It's main industry though is the local freezing works AFFCO but during the economic slump of the 1980s many of the town's other industries were badly affected and unemployment soared leading to the town's population falling. In 2018 the last census recorded that there were 1632 people living there with 90% Maori, 22% Pakeha, 6% Pacifica, 1% Asian.

See that red car on the right? That is our road patrol section of national Police cars, they are the people who drive along the highways looking out for accidents and speeding vehicles.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Timeless Thursdays.

Art on a Moerewa door

 My youngest son and I only usually drive our cars around our town so once in a while we take one of them for a blast out of town. Last week we drove to the town of Moerewa in his car, about 30 minutes away so I could take photos of the murals they have around town.

Without knowing who painted it, this mural sits on the outside of a garage door covering one of the local shops and symbolizes Cape Reinga, a mountain, kiwis, birds, waves and I think lizards. It's very reminiscent of Maori artwork.

Linking up with Mural Monday.

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.