Nevada Taikato at work painting the concrete planter pots. Photo/Supplied.
Nevada Taikato at work painting the concrete planter pots. Photo/Supplied.
Kawakawa's main street has been brightened up by the students of Okaihau College's special needs department.
The students have transformed the grey concrete planters lining Gillies St by painting them bright colours and adding mosaics reflecting the town's history and businesses.
Specialist teacher Theresa Nicholson said the college's Rangimarie unitwas approached by Richard Duley of the Kawakawa Business Association to see if they could help brighten the pohutukawa planter pots. The students, helped by artist Leigh Langford and other teacher aides, designed and made the 76 mosaic inserts while students from mainstream classes helped with breaking and gluing tiles, grouting and painting.
Student Bayden Sadler came up with a modern design based on a circle, square and triangle, while astronomy-loving Lance Hikuwai's mosaic features a comet, stars and rocket. Nevada Taikato made a heart and a scene with two houses, Carin Broomfield a star and koru design, and James Poharama a whale frolicking in the Bay of Islands.
Mrs Nicholson said the project had been a wonderful experience for the students.
"Not only have they enjoyed the physical experience of creating the mosaics, they're also extremely proud to see that the fruits of their labour are valued and displayed down the main street of Kawakawa," she said.
Senior students Mitchell Fergusson, Ari Ballantyne-Schollee, Andre Waiomio-Cassidy and Toni Wipou-Reneti contributed hugely towards the project, she said.
