Signs light way to heart of region

Carterton is lighting the way for visitors to the town with illuminated signs worth $50,000 that were lit for the first time last night.

Carterton Mayor Ron Mark yesterday morning unveiled one of the 4-metre-tall signs that stands near the information kiosk at the northern end of town near the Taratahi Hotel on State Highway 2.

There is an identical sign standing at the southern entrance to town beside State Highway 2 and a third sign will be erected within the next fortnight on a council reserve on Broadway near the Carterton train station, said Brian McWilliams, Carterton District Council community facilities manager.

Also at the unveiling were Carterton District councillors and members of the Keep Carterton Beautiful and Carterton District Business groups.

Carterton sculptor and artist Sean Crawford designed and produced the signs which are made from shaped sheets of carton steel. The name of the town is written in raised stainless steel letters above a legend reading "Heart of the Wairarapa" in a cut-out design, through which internal LED lighting shines.

Mr Crawford said carton steel has a high nickel content that allows rusting to an even patina, over which there will be a coat of surface protectant.

"It fits in with a rural environment and a rural town, but in a contemporary way," he said.

Mr Mark said the signs had been a year in the making and council "loved the designs", which most importantly had to come from a Carterton artist and had to highlight the central location of the town.

"Because we are the heart of Wairarapa, physically and geographically we are the centre and we are a community with heart," Mr Mark said.

The signs cost about $50,000 and were synchronised with streetlights and will illuminate at the same time, Mr McWilliams said.