Grate news

DRAINWISE: This bold, brightly-coloured design submitted by Hannah McKinlay to the Gisborne District Council's DrainWise Art Competition was judged best. The work will be painted around the Gladstone Road/Lowe Street corner stormwater drain. Picture supplied

A design depicting an outstretched hand that blocks lolly wrappers, a plastic bag, take-away drink cups and other detritus from entering a drain has won the Gisborne District Council's DrainWise Art Competition.

The aim of the competition was for entrants to produce a design that could be painted by or around the Gladstone Road/Lowe Street corner stormwater drain.

The winning work would send a clear visual message to people that anything that goes down a stormwater drain eventually affects wildlife that lives in and around the water.

In competition winner Hannah McKinlay's design marine life such as an orca, crab, and seal smile happily as the hand prevents pollutants from falling into the drain and ending up in the sea.

Titled Hand of New Zealand, the half brown, half light-tan hand with koru-like waves rippling along the wrist “represents the multiculturalism of New Zealand and our unity or shared responsibility for our lands and waterways,” says Hannah in her submission.

The judging panel was made up of Mayor Rehette Stoltz, Four Waters strategy adviser Wolfgang Kanz, and artist Derek Lardelli who described Hannah's design as bold.

“Does not need wording imagery to carry the message. Outstanding! Solid colour, should be easy to replicate. Clear focus around the drain. Excellent work”.

Hannah will receive a $250 voucher and her artwork will be painted on the stormwater drain on the corner of Gladstone Rd and Lowe Street this week, weather permitting.