THAT’S A LYE!

The Wellington Waterfront Information Centre will soon host a display about Water Whirler.

A DVD of the prototype whirler will be featured, along with information about Len Lye, the New Zealand artist and kinetic sculptor who designed it.

Lye’s early years were spent in Wellington. He attended Michelltown and Te Aro primary schools, and later, evening art classes at Wellington Technical College (now Wellington High School).

The display will open mid to late November.


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THE WRAIGHT STUFF

Megan Wraight deals in space, earth, plants and history…to create environments that touch all your senses and teach you at the same time.

Waitangi Park is one of her current projects. She is pictured at the start of construction of the park with architect John Hardwick-Smith.

The principal director of Wraight and Associates has an impressive pedigree of award-winning designs both here and in Australia.

Megan Wraight studied for a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours) at RMIT University in Melbourne and graduated in 1992. She worked in Melbourne, with projects such as the Williamstown Foreshore and Commonwealth Masterplan and the Box Hill Gardens Masterplan to her credit. Her 'Where the City Meets the Lake' entry in the National Australian Design School Competition got Honourable Mention, the highest award possible.

In New Zealand, her University of Canterbury Landscape Competition was a winner, as was her work on Taranaki Wharf in this year’s NZILA awards.

She is particularly interested in the way cultural, historical and natural processes interact to shape the landscape.

At Waitangi Park, the wetlands area is one that keenly excites her. Bringing the long-buried Waitangi Stream out of the culverts and into the light, combines history, culture and water sensitive urban design: the Waitangi Stream and the lagoon at its mouth were used extensively by Maori for fishing, and the first English settlers planned to dig a canal along the path of the stream to anchor boats in the Basin Lagoon, upstream, towards Newtown.

Wetlands are nature’s kidneys, so the design will demonstrate a new, eco-friendly approach to stormwater management in urban New Zealand. Also eco-sourced are the seeds for the planting, which have all been hand-gathered locally at Matiu Island and Makara.

The opening of Waitangi Park in 2006 will fully reveal Wraight’s talent and vision.

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WORLD VIEW: WAITANGI PARK DESIGN COMPETITION

Wellington Waterfront, the city, and its design community celebrated the launch of the Waitangi Park Design Competition recently.

The international line-up of designs included two from the Netherlands, one from Japan, one from Australia and a joint Australian/New Zealand entry.

Exciting, different, innovative entries…among those enjoying the launch were:
(1) Wellington City Councillor and WWL Director Ray Ahipene-Mercer; (2) WWL Chair Fran Wilde; (3) WWL Chief Executive Ian Pike; (4) Ian Athfield; (5) Mayor Kerry Prendergast; (6) Former Minister for the Environment Marian Hobbs; (7) Chris McDonald and Byron Roff.

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Project progress

Waitangi Park Area One
The rising sewer main from Oriental Bay has been renewed and relaid.
The city water supply surrounding and through the park has been upgraded.
Stormwater, gas, sewer, telephone and electrical pipes and cables have been    relocated.
Irrigation lines are in.
Topsoil is spread.
Seeding and planting are underway.
Work is beginning on the Wind Garden and western edge of the Graving Dock.
The asphalting of the promenades is about to start.
  
NZX (formerly known as the Odlin Building)
Construction completed. Landscaping around building to start.

Wellington Free Ambulance Building
Construction continuing. Due for completion January 2006.

Queens Wharf Outer T
Resource Consent to be lodged within the month.

Chaffers Dock
Construction continues. Building works due for completion in 2006.

Wharewaka and Wharenui/Wharekai
Awaiting result of Resource Consent application.

Water Whirler
Construction of pier in progress. Due to be commissioned February 2006.

Site 7, Kumutoto
Commercial negotiations for lease continue.

Overseas Passenger Terminal and Clyde Quay Wharf
Due diligence has been extended until early 2006.

What’s On At Circa?

The Tutor (October 27 – November 26)

When right-wing, free-spirited Auckland millionaire John Sellers hires moralistic, left-wing Maths teacher Richard Holton to tutor Nathan, his failing son who is more interested in cars than calculus – it is an equation for disaster. But out of chaos comes an unlikely friendship. Written by Dave Armstrong (Niu Sila, Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby). Directed by Danny Mulheron (The Daylight Atheist, Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby) and featuring Phil Vaughan, Jason Whyte and Ry Jessup.

Cinderella (November 19-December 22)

Starring Ellie Smith as the fabulous Fairy Godmother, with stunning costumes by Paul Jenden (Wearable Arts Award Winner) – this is one show you don’t want to miss. Roger Hall’s version of Cinderella is full of topicality but still retains traditional panto elements – hilarious dames, audience participation, lots of music and comedy.

It’s a Whanau Thing (November 29 – December 17)

Set in deepest Palmerston North, three guys form a band. They write and rehearse, waiting for their ultimate break – performing live on a morning television show. Then one of the band learns he is of Maori descent and his search for his heritage stirs the emotions of the group. The play explores the notions of place, culture and family  and reflects the racism, humour and frictions when these characters come together in small-town New Zealand.

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