Uniting the Community Mural

This mural was completed in December 2004.  It was constructed in a partnership between Anglican Youth Ministries, who were supported by the Pilot City Trust and Napier City Council.  The mural features jigsaw puzzle pieces fitted together.  These were drawn by local primary schools.  The mural shows the importance of family, cultures, values and community.   The Council donated $500 towards the materials needed.  

Shot taken from across the road.  Mural in its entirety.   

The next shots are closer ups to show the detail

 Linking to Our World Tuesday

Fifa Under 20 World Cup Inspired Tree

Yesterday I visited Williams blog and saw he had featured what his city is doing for Fifa World Cup.  While I am not really into sports.  I came upon this tree sculpture this morning on my daily walk.  The World Cup is being played in seven cities throughout New Zealand.  Napier is not one of them.    

The sculpture itself changes from time to time.  The shapes on the end of the branches are able to be removed, thus they can be changed depending on what is happening currently in Napier or in this case New Zealand.  For instance it was originally decorated to be a Christmas Tree, then a valentines tree.  It was designed by 2 local sculptors.      

This photo was taken with my mobile cellphone.

Theatrical Themed Electrical Transformer

Outside the Municipal Theatre is another electrical transformer box in the continuing rolling ball of yarn series.  

Linking to Outdoor Wednesday 

A Napier View

Taken on a recent walk.  The Norfolk pines, a view out to Cape Kidnappers and the Clock Tower and the T & G building.

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Bikes

I took this photo in the city the other day.  Cant find out any info about the metal bikes sculptures.  I quite like how they kind of tie in with the bikes on the metal electrical transformer box just around the corner.  The box is one of many dotted though out the CBD.  The rolling ball of yarn (which may not be as apparent in this photo however it is the string that ties both bikes on the box together) is on all these boxes and sort of links them together in an artistic way.  On the other boxes there are different pictures that tell a story about Napier.  As I find more within the city I shall share them too :)
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ANZAC Day 2015

Today is ANZAC day here in New Zealand (and in Australia).  This is our national day of remembrance.  ANZAC day was originally to remember the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in World War 1.  Now it remembers all Australians and New Zealanders who have and do serve and have died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.  

As a Scout (Kea the youngest of the scouts in New Zealand) I went along to the Civic Service.  We marched into Memorial Square along with other uniformed community groups including the New Zealand Defence Force, New Zealand Cadet Forces, the police, the fire service, St Johns Ambulance services and schools.     To read more about ANZAC day read this :) 

This is the wreath that out scout group made 

representatives from our group in the middle of the photo after laying our wreath 

In the afternoon I went to see this stage show.  A friends daughter was in it.  I was impressed with the quality of the acting and the threatre group whom put it on.  It tells the story of six Napier families whose sons go off to fight in world war one.  I liked that I was able to go to the last performance on ANZAC day (I have been recovering from working (its been busy!!) the last two evenings its been on).  I especially liked the fact that in the play there was mention of local road names therefore making it that much more real.  

On the way home afterwards I took a few more photos at Memorial Square.

our wreath in amongest a sea of wreaths

Found this at the local school 

Linking to Saturday Snapshot

Art Deco Mural

Linking to Saturday Snapshot

Remembrance Day

On Tuesday some of the Scout group I belong to (Im a Kea Scout Leader - Keas are the youngest scouts in New Zealand the 5 to 8 year olds) along with another scout group, The Sea Cadets and a lone Ranger Guide got together at Memorial Park.  The children along with the help of the RSA (The Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association) lay out and planted the White Crosses in memory of the men from Napier who fell in the First World War.  The crosses will remain here until the day after ANZAC day on the 25th.  The Scouts also join a big parade and memorable service then too.  

my youngest hes a Cub Scout

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After the crosses were in the ground there was a small service :)

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Earthquake Photos Found

This is the last post in the series I have been doing on what I found when I visited the  Council Chambers the other day.

In the top photo was part of Napier before the 1931 earthquake
In the bottom photo the same area after it

Photos of Napier city the destruction the earthquake caused

Linking to Outdoor Wednesday  

Treasures in the Napier City Council Chambers

Im in the middle of a series on what I found when I visited the  Council Chambers the other day.  I have noted where some of these treasures came from some I have not.  

These were presented to Napier from the Cook Islands to commemorate the signing of the friendship between Rarotonga, Cook Islands and Napier City Council

This was presented to the City of Napier on the occasion of the 40th Twin City Anniversary with the City of Victoria 1973 - 2013

while not a treasure or gift I was taken by these door knobs

This statue is the Goddess of Friendship and Purity. according to the sign.  She was a gift from Victoria British Columbia in 1982.  She is life size.    

Art Deco Posters

Im in the middle of a series on what I found when I visited the  Council Chambers the other day.  You are invited to view yesterdays post to see the Time Capsule that is there.  I will be posting a few more days worth of this series over the next couple of days.

I found these and explained to one of the workers there that is much easier to photograph these here.  Than on the side of the busy main roads and expressways that lead into Napier where there are copies of them.  They are used as welcome signs to Napier.  

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