Wailing wall

A 128m gift to the people of Auckland has been obliterated - to the shock and sadness of maritime and conservation fans.
All that remains of the massive Viaduct Harbour mural of whales, dolphins and marine life is a signature added by the late Sir Peter Blake, a keen supporter of the work.
The hugely detailed painting by internationally renowned American artist Wyland has been covered by a coat of dark grey paint.
Mike Percy, a former Wyland Award recipient and marine conservationist, is appalled at the destruction of the mural.
"I can't find the words to describe my feelings. To paint over a marine life artwork of such significance is nothing short of blatant vandalism," Mr Percy says. "Even the street taggers gave it respect - a lot more than the people responsible for this act.
"The mindset to leave Sir Peter Blake's signature is as meaningless as the act itself."
The obliteration of the mural was first reported by Dive New Zealand magazine.
The mural was produced amid huge publicity and acclaim 11 years ago.
In 1999 Hawaiian challengers for the America's Cup - with the help of Sir Peter and the Cousteau Society - arranged what was supposed to be a permanent reminder of the Cup series on the side of the Maritime Museum, in the form of a Whaling Wall.
The 17th man on board the Hawaiian Abracadabra 2000 yachts, marine artist Wyland, painted the Whaling Wall as a gift to Auckland.
Wyland covered the hulls of the two Abracadabra yachts with whales, dolphins and other marine life, and painted a similar ocean mural on the western wall of the museum on Hobson Wharf.
It was the 84th Whaling Wall that Wyland has painted around the world.
Sir Peter, as head of the Cousteau Society, helped set up the project.
Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum chief executive Paul Evans says the 11-year-old mural was affected by the new wing built for the Blue Water Black Magic tribute to Sir Peter.
Additionally, the mural had been deteriorating almost ever since it was completed, Mr Evans says.
"The mural was created using donated paint. The paint wasn't really fit for purpose. As a result it had been degraded by the salt spray.
"We applied a protective coating about seven years ago but it had continued to degrade and that's the nature of being on steel in such an environment."
Mr Evans says the decision was made to paint out the mural about 10 months ago and museum "stakeholders" were advised about it.
He says the only feedback the museum has received about it was from one woman and from the editor of Dive NZ magazine.