Combing the area

While we were holidaying in Taupo back in April I saw this mural/painting of a rooster on the outside of a locked up utility box. Apparently it was painted by artist Paul Walsh and named "Ruapehu Rooster".

Linking up with Mural Monday.

Tane Mahuta Mural

Last time I was in Ohaeawai and opposite the hotel is this mural on the back of a shed also masquerading as a corner shop. Named "Tane Mahuta" it was painted by Sean Duffell.  Tane Mahuta is located in the Waipoua Forest, our country's largest Kauri tree. In most nature walks where there are Kauris there are also cleaning stations where people need to stop and disinfect their shoes before walking through to the pathways.

According to Maori mythology Tane is the son of Ranginui the sky father and Papatuanuku the earth mother. Tane was the child who tore his parents parental embrace and once done set about clothing his mother in the forest we have today.  All living creatures of the forest are regarded as Tane's children.

Linking up with Monday Murals.

Fantail by Thijs de Koning

Our town has an activity zone which is very very popular with families and teenagers. Not only is there a skatepark but there is also a play area and will also in the near future include a cricket patch, a barbecue area, walking tracks, bicycle tracks,  soccer field, flying fox and cafe. I've researched the artist of this mural which is on the public toilet and it looks like it was painted by local artist Thijs de Koning and celebrates one of our iconic birds - the Fantail.

The Fantail or Piwakawaka as it's known in Maori is quite a friendly bird. They don't often hang about in public places but much prefer quiet native bush areas and tend to curiously flit around people. They are not endangered but in the Maori world they are known to bring news of a death from the gods to the people.

Linking up with Mural Monday and Our World Tuesday.

Kaitiaki II by Fred Graham

Nevermind the electric bicycle to the right of this photo, what caught my eye was this large sculpture on the outside of the BNZ Bank in Queen Street, Auckland City.

Named Kaitiaki II (meaning food and protection) by Fred Graham it symbolizes the original foreshore and former waka (canoe) landing area before this place was reclaimed. It sits on the same site as where the Ngati Paoa Iwi kept their canoes.

I think it's quite a clever piece and I like the way it prompts me to research the Maori history of NZ.

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

Just for the Tuis

On each of my morning walks around town this week I've seen something interesting. This particular day I was walking past one of the many tiny holiday homes down one of the side streets and spotted this water tank cheerfully decorated in shades of blue. This one has been painted with illustrations of a Tui sitting on what looks to be the flowers of a native flax bush.

Here in Mangawhai and in other small towns sometimes the houses can either be connected to town supply water or they will have 10,000 ltr water tanks so when it rains the water goes directly inside off the roof - usually there is a filter between the tank and the house so that it's safe to drink.

Linking up with Mural Monday and Our World Tuesday.