Hidden down some of the side streets of Newtown is some well thought out art that have been painted. All related to Newtown or business’s that the pictures represent.
wildbaynz/windyhillflyingclub 2013
Out There and Beyond: Newtown Hidden Art.
Category: Out There and Beyond
Out There and Beyond:Hidden Track: Wharemauka Track and Wetland Project.
This tracks runs for around 10km from Alexander Road,Raumati Beach to the Coastland Shopping Centre,Paraparumu.
Both entrances can be easily missed as there is no real clear signage. Starting from the Alexander Street entrance the track passes through Weka Park. As the stream you follow it around to the left (do not cross the bridge). To your left the gardens provide a lot of colour from their plants.
A short while later after the houses stop you pass around one end of Paraparumu Airport, if lucky you may get to see a light plane or Glider tack off or land.
Cross over the odd looking bridge (say hi to the horses if there).After the horses you may be lucky enough to see a section of flooded land to your right.
After passing some large trees on the left bank the river turns to the left and at this point a smaller stream joins it.
Follow the path that follows the smaller stream. You will then notice there is planting along either side of the path.
This work has been completed by Friends Of Wharemauka Stream. The aim is to improve water quality and stream.
They have been spending time on this tributary which has degraded. The group has been working on the project since 2008 and with a number of interested parties including Kapiti Coast District Council,the farmer who’s land the stream runs through and a local teacher who took a year off to study.
The group also received money from a $10000 grant made by Transpower. Also 25 Transpower staff spent a day working worth the group where they spent the time planting.
The walk does not take long and as it is on the level it is ideal for families and the path underfoot is excellent.
Friends Of Wharemauta Stream
Tracks.Org.NZ A good map and overview of the track(and others nearby).
Out There and Beyond:Wellington’s Hidden Art:Life Stream
Life Stream
Located in Seatoun at the bottom of Dundas Street.(Near Churchill Park) it has a uninterrupted view of Wellington Harbour and Somes Island.
The sculpture is almost 6m high and made of stainless steel.It represents a that of a tail of a fish on top of a column of seaweed.
The base of the sculpture has fish drawn into the metal whilst the rest of it shows fish swimming through seaweed.
The sculpture is memory of former residents Noyal and Bruce Brown who spent their childhood in Seatoun in the 1950’s.
Life Stream was completed in 2005 by Roger Thompson who is based in Greytown Wairarapa.
| james/wildbaynz/windyhillflyingclub | |
Out There and Behond: Lower Hutt’s Artesian Water.
Back in September 2012 a new Fresh Pure Artesian water fountain was opened in Lower Hutt. It is complements the original one located on the junction of Jackson Street and Buick Street in Petone.
In every way the design differs. Where the Petone Site has Sculptures to represent water vessels the one in Lower Hutt is minimalist in comparison.
It is located at The Dowse Square and is located of Laings Road, Lower Hutt.
A large concrete square is the main feature with the section running along the main road being planted within water, then on the opposite side are planted grass squares and trees.
On one of the 2 remaining sides is the Dowse Museum and the 4th side is the I-Site and a water sculpture.
There are 4 points of collection which are located either side of the path that enters from the main road.
Any run off from people filling up their containers goes back into the planted area therefore keeping the wetland planting well watered.
A Brief history of Artesian water:
It takes around a year to filter through the Hutt Valley aquifer, sourced from a bore to 40m underground.
Water from the Hutt River starts to flow underground around Taita Gorge. From Melling southwards, the water becomes naturally pressurised beneath a layer of hard clay. This pressurised zone, the Waiwhetu artesian aquifer, stretches as far south as the harbour. It is estimated to be up to 70 metres thick at its western edge against the Wellington fault line, and 20 metres thick at the eastern edge of the harbour. The pressure in the aquifer has resulted in several fresh water springs in the harbour floor. Water takes more than 12 months to pass through the aquifer to our wells and is naturally filtered while underground, making it free from disease causing micro-organisms.
james/wildbaynz/windy hill flying club
Out There and Beyond, Wellington: Evans Bay Slip.
The 1st Slip was completed in 1873, with its opening on 2nd May.
A number of additional buildings were built to accommodate the associated work and workers.
The 2nd slip was completed in 1922.
A pier was also built which is still there although closed because it has become unsafe.
As resent as 1985 the 2nd slip was was in use whilst the 1st one was closed in 1969 when the 2nd one came into use.
In 1990 Wellington Council aquired the site with the area being broken up into sections. With help from The Maritime Archaeological Association of NZ (MAANZ) and the area became a heritage site in 2006.
MAANZ completed 2 surveys of the area including an underwater survey.
The Slip is classed as a historic site both nationally and internationally.
The slip’s have been restored,although the road goes over a section of the tracks you will be able to see the tracks either side of the road so you will be able to follow the direction from land to water.
Location: The Evans Bay Slip is located at Greta Point which can be found on the Western side of Evans Bay. It can be easily reached by car with parking near by, or the #24 bus stops near by Monday to Friday. Alternativly a good walk from the area to Wellington is a great way to see the Slip and the other bays.
James/Windy Hill Flying Club.
Orginally Posted 25th June 2012
Out There and Beyond, Wellington: Massey Memorial.
I was aware that the Massey Memorial exsisted after doing 2 walks around from Miramar Wharf to Moa Point via Seatoun.
It sits hidden from view from the road below and from the departing ferries that pass it many times during the day and night,although you might sneak a glimse of the white granite or marble through the trees.
It sits above Point Halswell on the head of the Miramar Peninsula which is on the Eastern side of Evans Bay . Sitting almost below it on the rocks is a small working Light House for all boats either heading into Wellington Harbour or round to Evans Bay Marina.
Between the gaps in the trees you can see Soames Island sitting in the harbour, Mount Victoria with its transmitter sitting proudley on top or across the water to Eastbourne and the hills behond.
Its the place to be on a good day to either see a sunrise or sunset.
It takes its name from a NZ primeminister of New Zealand called William Massey who was the country’s PM from 1912 to 1925. He died in 1925 whilst still in office. His wife Christina Massey is also buried on the site.
The govenment at the time passed a bill allowing it to be built on the 0.8 hectere site. The sited had been used during WW1 for defence purposes but after the war had been left to become delerect.
Using what was already there the designers turned the fort into what is there now with the gun pit being used as a vault.
The rest of the site was completed in 1930 and has not changed much since then.The dome at the end overlooking the water was orginally the gun pit.
The memorial was made with Coromandel Granite at its base with the rest being Kairuru Marble,
Getting there: Unless you intend to walk around to it the best was is to use a car. Coming from the Miramar Wharf you will pass through Shelly Bay and then about 100metres after that you will see a few parking places over looking the water. Opposite the parking is a small white sign next to some steps. Climb the steps and you will walk along a gentle track until you arrive at the Memorial.
The memoral is to your left and a little way to your right is a small tack that takes you up towards a old telgraph post where you will get some further views of the area.
Orginally Posted 26th June 2012
James/ Windy Hill Flying Club.
WildBay 