Issue No. 485 - 23 September 2010
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Issue No. 485 - 23 September 2010 |
Wanganui's southern entranceway -
The southern entranceway is a mayoral initiative that was promoted upon Mr Laws' re-election in October 2007. It won unanimous councillor support through the council's annual plans. Mr Laws personally and successfully lobbied the current government to relax NZ Transport Agency guidelines to ensure the final result. "The existing entranceway was identified as unattractive and did nothing to encourage traffic to visit the CBD and town area from the state highway. "The southern entranceway project is one of a range of initiatives to develop and promote Wanganui as a visitor destination. The changes to the road layout, including the new roundabout, will direct visitors into the city along Putiki Drive and across City Bridge – a much more attractive and appropriate entrance to our city. "They will also be able to see the riverfront area and be directed to the new Visitor Information Centre, just off Taupo Quay. "This is a fantastic development and will signal to everyone who travels along the State Highway that Wanganui is welcoming, forward thinking and worth a visit." The southern entranceway project is a collaborative venture between Wanganui District Council, NZ Transport Agency and Void Architecture. NZ Transport Agency has spent around $1.8M on the project, which includes design and construction. Wanganui District Council has spent an estimated $475K on the project which includes:
The centrepiece of the new entranceway is the "Encounter" sculpture, designed by architect Mark Southcombe.
The blue poles, with blue lights at night, signal the entranceway from a distance and guide the traveller home. The southern entranceway official opening and the "Encounter" sculpture unveiling will be attended by Mayor Michael Laws, the Hon. Nathan Guy MP, Associate Minister of Transport, Jenny Chetwynd, NZ Transport Agency Regional Director and invited guests. "Encounter" sculpture At seven metres high and weighing two tonnes, the sculpture is constructed from hollow tubular steel sections and perforated metal sheets. At night it is lit from within. "Encounter" is an abstract representation of the greeting that takes place when people meet. The two 'figures' represent the Tangata Whenua through the takarangi spiral motif, which is of particular significance to the people of Putiki. The other figure represents the Manuhuri, or visitor, and shows the Wanganui city grid, introduced by the European settlers. As well as representing a welcome or greeting to Wanganui, the sculpture also acknowledges the historic significance of Putiki as a meeting place of cultures. Click here for more information about the "Encounter" sculpture. Traffic diversion For motorists travelling south out of Wanganui there will be a traffic diversion in place between 12noon and 3.00pm on Friday, September 24, for the official southern entranceway opening. The detour starts at the Heads Road roundabout, along Taupo Quay, across City Bridge and along Putiki Drive, back to State Highway 3 via the Putiki slip lane. |
Sculpture Wanganui 2010 Wanganui's inaugural sculpture event runs from Saturday, September 18 to Monday, October 4. Four unique sculptures by artists Mikel Durel (with Max Cody and Kerry McDonnell), Paul Dibble, Daniel Clifford and Matt Pine were chosen from 12 original entries to create a temporary sculpture park on the banks of the Whanganui River. The sculptures are sited on the riverbank between Dublin Street Bridge and Plymouth Street. The winner of Sculpture Wanganui 2010 will be selected by independent judge Rob Garrett and will receive a first prize of $50,000 at an awards ceremony on September 25. The Wanganui community are encouraged to vote for their favourite sculpture to win the Powerco Trust Wanganui People's Choice award. The People’s Choice winner will receive $25,000. Use the voting form in today's Wanganui Chronicle to select your favourite sculpture. Voting forms must be returned by 5.00pm on Friday, September 24. |
Supporting Cultural Initiatives in Wanganui Creative Communities New Zealand Local Arts Funding Scheme 2010 Te Mahi Taha Toi Me Te Mahi Whakangahau Mo Tenei Wahi Mo Nga Ropu Kei Te Pirangi Moni Awhinatia Mo Te Mahi Taha Toi Me Te Mahi Whakangahau Funding is available for local community based arts activities from the Creative Communities Scheme (CCS). The Scheme aims to increase participation in the arts at a local level, and increase the range and diversity of arts available to communities. Applications are called for from arts and cultural groups, organisations and individuals, based in the Wanganui District Council area. Application forms are available from: Wanganui Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay and on line at: and by clicking here Applicant guides are available in Maori, Chinese (traditional), Fijian, Hindi, Korean, Niuean, Samoan, Tokelauan, Tongan, Tuvaluan, and New Zealand English. A free Creative Communities funding workshop will be held on: Applicants are asked to attend the workshop. For further information contact Don Hunter, Arts Coordinator, Wanganui District Council, email Don Hunter, phone 349 0001 ext 8415. This will be the final Creative Communities funding round for 2010. Applications close at 12 noon on Friday, 8 October 2010. |
Meet the candidates for the local election
Wanganui Federated Farmers is hosting a public forum for Kaitoke Subdivision candidates for the Wanganui Rural Community Board. Kirsten Bryant, Director of Beef and Lamb New Zealand, will chair the forum, which will take place in the Fordell Hall on Thursday, September 23. Doors will open at 6.30pm and the forum will start at 7.00pm. Wanganui District Council mayoral candidates have also been invited to attend the forum and meet the public. At the start of the forum members of the public will be invited to provide written questions that are directed at all candidates. Questions targeted at individual candidates will not be permitted. Due to time constraints, it is likely that only a sample of these questions will be covered at the meeting. After the forum all questions will be provided to the media. |
Manu Mania at the library during the school holidays There's a range of fun events during the school holidays at the Davis Library and Gonville Café Library. Man vs Manu – Endangered and extinct birds, Tuesday, September 28 Legendary birds – Maui and Manu, Wednesday, September 29 Sessions runs at 10.30am to 11.30am for 4-6 year olds, and 1.00pm to 2.30pm for 7-10 year olds. Storytelling – Pakiwaitara Gonville Café Library Davis Library To book for any of the above events call the library, phone 349 1000 or email. |
Spring Fling heritage event
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Daylight saving reminder
It's time to change your old batteries,canned food and stored drinking water for fresh supplies in your Civil Defence Survival Kit. |
Annual Lake Wiritoa users meeting The annual Lake Wiritoa users meetings will be held as follows: When: September 30 at 3.00pm If you would like further information please contact Dave Kerwin, Wanganui District Council, phone 349 0001 ext 8157. |
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Visitors to Wanganui will be greeted by the "best entranceway to any city in New Zealand," says Mayor Michael Laws, ahead of the official opening of the southern entranceway tomorrow. 
The new entranceway also incorporates three sets of poles inspired by the historic wharf piles, known as 'River Dolphins', at the southernmost end, near the weighbridge. The poles also reflect, in an abstract manner, the three Whanganui River hapu of Tama Upoko, Hinengakau and Tupoho.
Wanganui Rural Community Board – Kaitoke Subdivision candidates