State of the arts gets a boost in the capital

A low budget film making challenge, a Samoan arts workshop, a glow in the dark puppet show, and queer and trans drawing classes are just a sample of the diverse recipients of this year’s Creative Communities Scheme (CCS).

The biannual funding scheme, a partnership between Wellington City Council and Creative New Zealand, supports projects that reflect the diversity of the capital’s culture and traditions, gets young people participating, have broad appeal and community involvement, and encourages engagement in the arts.

The CCS panel allocated $73,138 in this round, which was awarded to 23 recipients that met the grant criteria (see list below).

The CCS panel is made up of 12 members (including one high school student) with expertise on everything from dance to kapa-haka, zines to youth theatre, visual arts and other art forms – and chaired by Arts Portfolio Lead, Mayor Justin Lester.

The range and diversity of the recipients demonstrates how Wellington is a hot house for talent and creativity, says Mayor Lester.

“Our partnership with Creative New Zealand, and their commitment to support grassroots activity and emerging artists, compliments our investment in arts and culture as one of our top priorities – both recognising the creative sector as the beating heart of the capital.

“This is evident in some of the accolades the city has received including coolest little capital, world’s most liveable city, and retaining our crown in the Infometrics Creativity Index.

“The talent and creativity we support and invest in now will go towards maintaining the appeal and attractiveness of the capital to innovators, investors, visitors, businesses, students, and residents alike.”

Team Leader Funding Mark Farrar says there are numerous ways the creative community can receive funding for their projects.

“The next CCS funding will close at the end of August, in the meantime there are a lot of Council funding opportunities available for all sorts of projects, organisations, and initiatives that add to the cultural fabric of Wellington.

“We encourage anyone who may not have applied before to visit our wcc.govt.nz/funding section and see what’s available and whether they fit the criteria for a grant.”

-WCC

Local street art promotes moped rider safety

Wellington City Council is using street art from around the CBD to help promote safe riding to people on mopeds (small scooters up to 50cc), and encourage them to be aware of their surroundings.

The Council’s Transport Safety Education Coordinator, Anna Blomquist, says the campaign features some of the fantastic urban art in Wellington’s central city and targets the behaviour of moped riders with three simple messages to improve their safety.

“We’re focusing on riding situations where there’s an increased risk of crashes: looking out for hazards on the road such as slippery surfaces, making sure that other road users can see them, and riding in a predictable manner.”

The most recent figures from the New Zealand Transport Agency show that in 2018 there were 33 crashes involving moped riders in Wellington City. Fifty percent of those involved in crashes were under the age of 30.

Wellington District Road Policing Prevention Co-ordinator Laurence Vautier says recent joint Council and Police motorcycle checkpoints have shown some worrying examples of under-inflated and bald tyres. 

“While a moped does not require a Warrant of Fitness it does need to meet the Warrant of Fitness standard, and the Police will enforce this. Maintaining a safe vehicle will reduce your risk of a crash.”

Councillor Chris Calvi-Freeman, the Portfolio Leader for Transport Strategy, says moped riders tend to be younger and need to take extra care to stay safe. 

“We also encourage riders to invest in good quality riding gear, especially gloves and a full face helmet, and consider taking a riding skills course.”

The campaign is jointly funded by the Council and New Zealand Transport Agency, and is live until the end of April.

Council staff worked with moped riders, rider instructors, retailers and the NZ Police to come up with the safety messages, and the featured artists are acknowledged as part of the designs. We’d also like to acknowledge the on-going support of Scooterazi.

-WCC

First pop-up library service for CBD in Manners St

Wellington Mayor, Justin Lester, today announced the return of library services to the CBD with a new pop-up space set to open in Manners Street.

“Manners Street is an ideal location to provide convenient services right in the heart of our city. I am thrilled we have been able to quickly secure this site for the first in what will be a network of library services across the CBD.

The new library services pop-up will share 12 Manners Street with the Council service centre that was already planned for the site. It will be great for people to have access to a range of services under the one roof. Both services will open in late May,” said Mr Lester.

At the pop-up, customers will be able to browse and borrow a range of popular and new items, pick up reserves, and return books and other library resources. Self-service options will be available and Library staff will be on hand to answer questions, process payments, register new customers, and provide support and advice on the wide range of online content available through our eLibrary.

It is anticipated the pop-up service hours will include late nights and weekends.
 
A small range of seats for reading, study and work, along with free wifi and some printing, photocopying and internet access facilities will also be available.

“Work to set up the pop up service is already underway. There are lots of moving parts to manage - first we need to complete a fit out, set up our IT infrastructure, select which parts of our collection will be available, and work with our staff.  

“We know Wellingtonians want more access to library services in the CBD and this will take some time. Since the closure of the Central Library, in addition to locating suitable pop up spaces, we’re also working to find innovative ways we can partner with other providers to quickly offer other services like internet access, printing, WiFi, and research services at CBD locations,” said Mr Lester.

Councillor Fleur Fitzsimons, who holds the community facilities portfolio, says Council has also increased capacity in our branch network of 11 community libraries. 

“Central Library staff are being relocated throughout our branches, to provide additional hands on deck as well as increased opening hours at some libraries,” she said.

The Manners Street pop-up is just the first in what will be a network of library services residents can access across a range of CBD locations. Details of other pop up locations and services will be announced in the coming weeks.

-WCC

Two changes to Hurricanes side to face Highlanders

Just two changes have been made to the Hurricanes starting XV to face the Highlanders in the round eight Investec Super Rugby match in Dunedin on Friday night.

Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has named Kane Le'aupepe to start at lock after the 26-year-old impressed off the bench in his first appearance for the club in last week's loss to the Crusaders.

Le'aupepe, who came into the Hurricanes squad as injury cover, replaces Liam Mitchell who moves to the reserves bench following a heavy workload in his first season of Super Rugby.

The other change to the starting side is at centre where Jordie Barrett moves in from the wing with Matt Proctor moving to the bench.

The change means a start on the right wing for Wes Goosen who will make his 30th appearance for the Hurricanes.

The bench stays largely the same with the exception being the reserve halfback's spot with Finlay Christie replacing Richard Judd.

TJ Perenara retains the captaincy with Dane Coles ruled out for a second week with a minor calf injury.

"While we were disappointed with the result against the Crusaders the coaching group still found some positives in how we played, especially the way we performed up front," Plumtree said.

"The challenge for us now is to get the rest of our game to where it needs to be against what will be a really motivated Highlanders team who will be desperate to play well in front of their home fans."
 
Kick-off at Forsyth Barr Stadium is 7.35pm .

The Hurricanes squad to face the Highlanders is: 

15 Chase Tiatia
14 Wes Goosen
13 Jordie Barrett
12 Ngani Laumape
11 Ben Lam
10 Beauden Barrett 
9 TJ Perenara (c)
8 Reed Prinsep
7 Ardie Savea
6 Vaea Fifita
5 Kane Le'aupepe
4 James Blackwell
3 Ben May
2 Ricky Riccitelli
1 Fraser Armstrong

Reserves

16 Asafo Aumua
17 Chris Eves
18 Jeff To'omaga-Allen
19 Isaia Walker-Leawere
20 Liam Mitchell
21 Du'Plessis Kirifi
22 Finlay Christie
23 Matt Proctor

-Hurricanes Rugby

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF WOMEN’S RUGBY IN WELLINGTON

Photo: Radar Photography

Women’s rugby across the decades will be celebrated at the Ngatitoa Domain this Saturday with a special Gala Day opening to kick the season off. 

The season opening event will help recognise 30 years of women’s rugby in Wellington which officially started in 1989. 

Not only will it feature all senior women’s teams playing at the same venue for the first round of the Rebecca Liua’ana Trophy, but there will also be a junior girls’ Rippa tournament to feature the next generation of players coming into the sport.  

An after-match function will be held for the teams, which will be marked with the presentation of 50th caps to Pride representative players. 

Women’s rugby in Wellington continues to produce hugely positive results with player numbers increasing 7% in 2018.That has seen the number of registered players grow to 1300. 

Those numbers will hopefully continue to increase as the women’s game receives more exposure like the tremendous efforts of the Wellington Pride side which won the Farah Palmer Championship last season. 

The performance of the side saw five of the Pride side contracted to the Black Ferns squad. 

Following on from the Gala Day, a Girls Holiday Programme will be held in the first week of the school holidays between April 15 and 18 at the Petone Rugby Football Club. 

More exciting news for the women’s game is the announcement of the first women’s curtain raiser to a super rugby game in the capital. 

The annual Hurricanes club night on Friday 17th May will have added meaning to it next month with a curtain raiser to be played between the top two Wellington women’s club sides, Northern United and Oriental Rongotai. 

It will be the first time a women’s club rugby match has been played at Westpac Stadium and the first time a women’s curtain raiser has been played before a Hurricanes home match. 

It also promises to be an exciting and entertaining fixture, especially if it comes close to last year’s women’s final between the two sides that ended with Northern United coming out on top 20-15.

Gala Day Matches (all 11:30am kick-off):
Paremata-Plimmerton v Old Boys University; Ngati Toa Domain #1
Hutt Old Boys Marist v Poneke; Ngati Toa Domain #2
Northern United v Marist St Pats; Ngati Toa Domain #3
Oriental-Rongotai v Petone; Ngati Toa Domain #4

-WRFU

FutureFit - a new climate action tool

Wellington City Council and Auckland Council have developed New Zealand’s first gamified carbon calculator to help people to make choices to reduce their impact on climate change.

FutureFit lets people work out the carbon impact of their lifestyle and lets them choose positive changes in the way they live to help reduce it. The change the tool helps will support New Zealand’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and Wellington City Council’s goal to become a low carbon capital.

The tool has been tailored for people in Wellington, Auckland and the “rest of New Zealand” and its calculations reflect the differences of living and transportation in those cities. It measures and quantifies individuals’ climate impact based across four categories – Transport, Food, Energy and Living.

FutureFit then provides people with everyday actions and challenges, tailored to their personal carbon emissions profile, and will remind them each week via text or email for as long as they want to participate. People can share their results and have fun competing with others.

Wellington City Council’s Climate Change Portfolio leader, Councillor David Lee, says the tool is a great use of technology to tackle New Zealand’s climate footprint.

“The Council developed FutureFit as a key part of Wellington’s low carbon capital plan to support the community in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Giving people information about the climate impacts of their lifestyles helps them make choices about what they do and consume,” says Cr Lee.

People who use the tool would first estimate their carbon footprint, register to develop their carbon reduction actions and reminders, and even invite their friends, co-workers and whanau to a friendly competition to see who can reduce their footprint the most.

“Everyone can make a difference. The little reductions individuals make can add up to big reductions in the carbon we produce overall.”

FutureFit is free for individuals. You can find it at FutureFit.nz

-WCC

CLOSE GAMES AND COMEBACK WINS MARK SECOND ROUND

PHOTO: David Brownlie

A series of close games and come-from-behind wins has marked the second round of both the Premier Swindale Shield and Premier Reserve Harper Lock Shield competitions, played on another glorious day around the region on Saturday.

With the exception of a couple of blowout results, the rugby was generally hotly contested, as teams again battled the prevailing warm weather and hard grounds as well as their oppositions.

Northern United and Oriental-Rongotai sit atop the Swindale Shield with two bonus point wins, while Poneke and Hutt Old Boys Marist are the other two unbeaten teams.

The Northern United – Old Boys University Premier Reserve match ended in a 19-19 draw after OBU chased down a kick and ran in a late try, and it seemed the Premier contest that followed was heading the same way at 25-25 with two minutes to play.

But, livewire Norths first five-eighth Esi Komaisavai intercepted a pass in general play and sprinted 60 metres to score the match-winning try and see his side retain the Ken Douglas Trophy with a 30-25 victory.

In a tight seesaw match, OBU had taken a 15-10 lead into halftime, weathering waves of Norths possession and territory at the other end, to counterattack and score two forwards tries from their only two clear chances of the half.

Norths broke open the game immediately after halftime, with a turnover from a lineout on halfway and a runaway try, but OBU hit back once more when second five-eighth Izzy Foai joined his forwards at close-quarters and dived over to keep the game on tenterhooks.

At Fraser Park, Oriental-Rongotai’s top team won relatively comfortably against Avalon but not without the home team threatening a comeback with a burst of try-scoring themselves midway through the second half.

Ories had too much firepower out wide in the first half, as wing Tuga Mativa’s hat-trick helped them to a 29-7 halftime lead. This soon became 41-7 with two more tries. but Avalon struck back to close the deficit to 41-24 after 55 minutes and it was game on. However, the scoring dried up completely and that became the fulltime score.

The Harper Lock Shield match at Fraser Park saw Avalon leading Ories 19-7 at halftime and still ahead 33-21 after 65 minutes, but a late burst by Ories gave them a 42-33 win.

At Lyndhurst Park, Hutt Old Boys Marist edged Tawa 25-24, pipping the home side after scores were deadlocked 10-10 at halftime when Tawa centre Pepesana Patafilo burst through to score under the bar.

Tawa lost a player to the sin-bin after the break, leading directly to a HOBM try and a 17-10 lead for the Eagles. Tawa hit back with a try to hooker Tony Coburn to lock it up at 17-17, then took the lead when left wing Faraimo Nofoaiga scored and flyback Sam Clarke converted. Trailing 17-24, the Eagles came back to win at the end with a try and a penalty.

For HOBM, Centre Jordan Bradbrook, first five-eighth Anthony Utanga and prop Rei Manaia scored their three tries and halfback Sheridan Rangihuna found his range off the kicking tee.

Tawa won the Harper Lock Shield curtain-raiser 70-14.

The Upper Hutt Rams supporters can thank a strong second half at home at Maoribank Park from their Premiers, as that propelled them to their 46-26 win over the Wellington Axemen. After a tightly contested first half and a tense third quarter, the Rams came through late to take their 20-point victory.

Openside flanker Dan Schrijvers scored a hat-trick, his brother Hayden scored one try and fullback Tyler Tane scored two in the seven tries to four win for the Rams.

The Rams won the Premier Reserve early game 73-5.

At Ngatitoa Domain, home side Paremata-Plimmerton pushed Poneke hard throughout the main match, before going down 17-37.

As they always do playing at home, Paremata-Plimmerton brought a lot of early energy to the encounter and they applied all the early pressure and opened the scoring. It was 10-10 late in the first half, before Poneke took the lead for the first time to take a 15-10 lead into the break.

Poneke’s Moananu coaching duo of Misipalauni and Toto made strategic personnel changes at half time, up front and in the midfield and this soon paid off as they pulled clear in the final quarter. Fullback Michael Sage finished with two tries.

Poneke won the earlier Harper Lock Shield game against Paremata-Plimmerton 57-8.

At William Jones Park, home team Wainuiomata overcame Petone 18-13 to win the Darren Larsen Cup that is played between these two sides.

There was little room given defensively by both teams, as Wainuiomata led the Villagers 13-10 at halftime and battled hard in a sloppy second half to win. Petone, missing several key players for this match, were left to rue moments of inaccurate play and handline errors. Wainuiomata physicality in the breakdown proved telling, but poor discipline also let them down and they were reduced to 13 players at one point. Lock Teru Teru and left wing Saita Tuaoi scored their only two tries.

Roles were reversed in the early match at William Jones Park, with Petone winning 41-17.

Marist St Pat’s were the day’s biggest winners, over-running the Johnsonville Hawks 71-5 at home at Evans Bay. MSP won 10 tries to one, with eight individuals crossing the whitewash and wings Ricky Manulaiatea and Iosefo Aukusitino bagging braces. Centre Willie Shultz slotted nine conversions and a penalty for 21 points.

For Johnsonville, their only try was scored by replacement lock Taewa Rima.

MSP’s Premier Reserves and defending Harper Lock Shield champions overcame the Hawks second XV 101-5.

MSP, Tawa and Ories are three teams unbeaten on 10 competition points after the first two rounds of the Harper Lock Shield. 

-WRFU

Recycling just got a lot clearer

Wellington City Council will soon be delivering free packs of recycling bags to Wellington households – and although they are no longer green, they’re much greener than before.

The new see through bags, being delivered to 26,000 households over the next couple of months, are now recyclable alongside the items that are put in it.

The change comes in part due to public demand for the bags. The bags are the same size as before, and take the same materials – clean paper, cardboard, plastic, tins and cans. Being clear, they will also reduce contamination and risks to collectors, according to Mayor Justin Lester.

“Together Wellington City residents recycle about 12,000 tonnes of materials a year. This reduces the amount of waste that would otherwise end up in the Landfill by about 20 percent – but obviously we’d like to see this number grow.

“Part of the problem, is about 10% of recycling ends up in Landfill due to contamination, so now the collector will be able to clearly identify any contamination including harmful items or glass.”

The main kerbside recycling contamination:

• Glass going in with co-mingled materials instead of being separated into crate

• Food contamination in plastic packaging, glass jars and pizza boxes

• Garden waste

• Dirty nappies

• Plastics being mixed into glass crates with glass

• Polystyrene contamination

The Council’s Infrastructure and Sustainability portfolio leader Councillor Iona Pannett says this is a step in the right direction, but there’s still a long way to go to reduce waste in the capital. 

“Over 50% of what is in rubbish bags or private wheelie bins is potentially recyclable – paper and cardboard 28% and plastics 36% are the biggest offenders. Food is also an issue so the council will be undertaking a trial of a kerbside composting trial later in the year. 

“We know most residents are good at recycling, but we encourage anyone who is unsure about what they can recycle to check on our online directory for how to better reduce, reuse, and recycle.

“We’re pleased to say these new recycling bags are a more sustainable alternative, which conforms to the necessary requirements like strength, shelf life and affordability. 

“The bags will be processed off-shore in Malaysia whilst a market exists. Longer term we hope that these bags can be recycled on-shore and that a market will develop for products made from them,” adds Councillor Pannett.  

The new bags will be recycled back into LDPE pellets, as a ‘raw’ material as part of manufacturing of new products.

LDPE is widely used for manufacturing various containers, dispensing bottles, wash bottles, tubing, plastic bags for computer components, and various molded laboratory equipment. Its most common use is in plastic bags. Other products made from it include trays and general purpose containers.

Not every address will receive the free pack though, with inner-city residents having a different process for recycling, and with some streets on a blacklist because of ongoing rubbish offences.

Green recycling bags will still be collected. The Council also has 2000 green recycling bags in stock which will be distributed in the first stages of delivery – which started this Saturday 30 March.

-WCC

Unbeaten Hurricanes Hunters to face Japan A

The Hurricanes Hunters unbeaten record in 2019 will go on the line for their last two matches when they face Japan A home and away.

The first of those matches kicks off at Porrirua's Jerry Collins Stadium on Friday while the second game is scheduled for Saturday, April 20 in Tokyo.

Six of the Hunters starting XV have played for the Hurricanes in this year's Investec Super Rugby competition.

They include Hurricanes squad member Fletcher Smith who will start at first five-eighth.

Smith will combine in the halves with Finlay Christie while the midfield combination of Danny Toala and Billy Proctor have operated well together when afforded the opportunity.

Up front, there is plenty of experience in the loose forwards with Heiden Bedwell-Curtis and Sam Henwood starting while new Hurricanes recruit Xavier Numia is at loosehead prop.

Hurricanes squad member Peter Umaga-Jensen, who played 30 minutes of Wellington club rugby last week, has been named on the bench.

Kick-off at Jerry Collins Stadium in Porirua is 2pm.

The Hurricanes Hunters squad to face Japan A is:

15 TBC
14 Mark Telea
13 Billy Proctor
12 Danny Toala
11 Salesi Rayasi
10 Fletcher Smith
9 Finlay Christie
8 Teariki Ben-Nicholas
7 Sam Henwood
6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis 
5 Tom Parsons
4 Veikoso Poloniati
3 Ross Geldenhuys
2 James O'Reilly
1 Xavier Numia

Reserves

16 Kianu Kereru-Symes
17 Sitiveni Paongo
18 Tietie Tuimauga
19 Caleb Delaney
20 Mateaki Kafutolu
21 Kemara Hauti-Parapara
22 Peter Umaga-Jensen
23 Ollie Sapsford

Fifita and Riccitelli to bring up 50th appearances

Hurricanes forwards Vaea Fifita and Ricky Riccitelli will make their 50th appearances for the club in Friday night's New Zealand derby showdown against the two-time defending Super Rugby champion Crusaders.

The pair have been named to start the match at Westpac Stadium in a largely unchanged side from the one which defeated the Stormers last round.

Senior players TJ Perenara and Ngani Laumape return to the Hurricanes starting XV after they missed the Stormers match.

They are the only changes Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has made although there is one positional shift which sees Jordie Barrett move from the midfield to the right wing in place of Wes Goosen.

Goosen, who really impressed scoring two tries against the Stormers, has been named on the bench.

Riccitelli, who made his debut for the Hurricanes against the Brumbies in 2016, will start after Dane Coles was ruled out with a minor calf injury.

Fifita, who made his debut against the Blues in 2015, has again be named at blindside flanker.

The return of Perenara has seen Richard Judd move on to a reserves bench which features the recall of experienced prop Chris Eves and exciting young loose forward Du'Plessis Kirifi.

Plumtree was really pleased with the character shown against the Stormers.

"The leaders involved in that match really stood up, for the whole week really, and we will need that again in what is a great challenge for us against the Crusaders," he said.

"We expect TJ and Ngani to add a lot to that leadership group and they will also bring a lot of energy. It's a match we are really looking forward to along with our fans who we hope can give us a real advantage."

 
Kick-off at Westpac Stadium is 7.35pm .

The Hurricanes squad to face the Crusaders is: 

15 Chase Tiatia
14 Jordie Barrett
13 Matt Proctor
12 Ngani Laumape
11 Ben Lam
10 Beauden Barrett 
9 TJ Perenara (c)
8 Reed Prinsep
7 Ardie Savea
6 Vaea Fifita
5 Liam Mitchell
4 James Blackwell
3 Ben May
2 Ricky Riccitelli
1 Fraser Armstrong

Reserves

16 Asafo Aumua
17 Chris Eves
18 Jeff To'omaga-Allen
19 Isaia Walker-Leawere
20 Du'Plessis Kirifi
21 Richard Judd
22 Jackson Garden-Bachop
23 Wes Goosen

Terracotta Warriors exhibition: Wellington City residents free day

Wellington City residents will be able to enjoy a free day at Te Papa’s Terracotta Warriors exhibition next month.

To celebrate Wellington City Council’s relationship with Te Papa, Wellington City residents are eligible for free entry into the Terracotta Warriors exhibition at Te Papa on Tuesday 9 April 2019.

The free day will take place between 10am-9pm with the exhibition having a timed entry. The first 1-hour session starts at 10am, and the last is at 8pm (closing at 9pm). Tickets can only be collected on the day.  In the past, free day has been extremely popular, and entry tickets go fast – so get in early.

Who is eligible?

The event is open to Wellington City residents to acknowledge Council's support of Te Papa. Residents living in rental properties are also eligible for free entry. Hutt and Porirua residents are not eligible for a free ticket as they do not pay their rates to the Wellington City Council. Check out this map (PDF 340KB) for all the ward boundaries.

What do I need to bring on the day?

To gain entry you’ll need to bring in suitable proof that you are a Wellington City resident (like a bank statement or utilities bill with your name and address on it).

Where can I get tickets from?

Tickets can only be collected on the day and must be picked up in person. They will be available at the Level 2 info desk from 9am to 10am, and then from 10am onwards they will be available from the exhibition desk on Level 4.

Can I book tickets in advance?

There will be no pre-booking online. You may queue on the day and collect tickets for sessions later in the day. Tickets for evening and afternoon sessions are expected to go quickly. Each session is limited to 280 people.

How many tickets can I get?

Each resident with ID is entitled to four free tickets.

How long does each session last?

Sessions will run for 1 hour maximum, and a gong will sound at 45/50 minutes to indicate the end of the session. The first session will be at 10am and the last will start at 8pm.

How can I find more information about tickets on the day?

There will be live updates about ticket availability throughout the day on this Facebook event page. 

Will audio guides still be available?

Audio guides and catalogues will be available for purchase ($5.50) on the day.

Can I still buy a ticket on the day?

Yes, there is a small allocation to each session for visitors who are not eligible to enter for free as Wellington City residents.

Will other parts of the museum be open between 6pm-9pm on the day?

No, the rest of the museum will be closed at 6pm – just the Terracotta Warriors exhibition will remain open. The level 4 café will remain open until 8pm.

How do I find out more about the exhibition?

Visit the Te Papa Terracotta Warrior exhibition page

-WCC

Wall of aroha in the heart of the city

A space is being created in Te Ngākau Civic Square where the public can express their feelings and messages of support through art and words.

Following the tragic events in Ōtautahi Christchurch on Friday 15 March, the people of Wellington have been asking for a space to draw or write messages to demonstrate their aroha.

The site that has been identified for this is on a section of the hoarding surrounding the Town Hall says Mayor Justin Lester.

“We recognise that the people of Wellington want a place to demonstrate their support and aroha for the Muslim community, migrants, and those from a refugee background. Council staff have worked with the community to create a safe, inner city space where the public can do this through artwork and written words.

“It’s also apt that it’s located in Civic Square as the te reo name Te Ngākau gifted to the area means the heart – the centre of the city for all ages, cultures, and gatherings.”

After the terrorist attack in Ōtautahi Christchurch, graffiti messages of support appeared around the capital. Given the outpouring of grief, Wellington City Council asked its contractors to show discretion around positive messaging in the public realm until we could come up with a solution – and now it has.

Council has commissioned local artist Greta Menzies to paint a message to be a permanent feature of the wall. The rest of the space will be painted with black board paint for the public to write messages in chalk. Chalk will be left out for people to use each day. Work on the mural will start this week, weather permitting, so will be available for the public to add their messages by the weekend.

Paint/tag/spray paint/graffiti is not for this site – if people want to use paint they can do so at the wind shield walls at Waitangi Skate Park.

The Te Ngākau Civic Square message site will be up for three months, but given it’s for chalk and works may be rubbed or rained off, we suggest people take a photo to record their creations. It will eventually be removed or painted over to make way for another series of artworks.

Wellington City Gallery is very supportive of the commemorative wall. Council’s Local Hosts and security guards will keep an eye on the site, and any messages containing objective material will be reported and removed immediately.

-WCC