Letters: Visitors come to Rotorua for its natural beauty, not art

Rotorua has always been a drawcard. Photo/File

In response to councillor Hunt's letter to the editor, as a local who lives here for its natural beauty, lakes and forests, I'm not surprised Rotorua has again been recognised as a top location to visit.

Rotorua has always drawn people to it, long before some started changing its face into the commercially gimmicky one I believe it has become today.

Having spent time fishing our waterways, soaking in our hot pools or working in hotels, motels and local businesses, it isn't the artist, or business owners our visitors rave about. Visitors rave about how beautiful it is, how cool the mud is, how friendly the people are and how most would love to stay longer if it wasn't so expensive.

As a local who has loved ones forced to leave Rotorua to find work, I'm stoked our council's plan of using a Canadian company to construct the Hemo roundabout sculpture faulted, and it can now see the benefits of giving locals the work - well done.

While councillor Hunt believes this sculpture will grace our entrance, others feel that it is just more graffiti on our unique landscape.

KEVIN BARKER
Rotorua
[Abridged]

Sometime before Christmas I noticed an article in your paper about somebody who had painted a mural on a wall at a kindergarten in Rotorua. Since then there have been more articles about murals on city walls and some already in place.

It would be nice if somebody could paint murals on the very ugly wall on Te Ngae Rd opposite Motion Entertainment.

This is a main thoroughfare into Rotorua from the airport and beyond and would enhance the area considerably. I do not know who is responsible for the wall and whether it would be possible.

There seemto be budding artists out there who would love a challenge. New Zealand scenes or our local culture would look good.

Driving south from Brisbane there are plenty of murals scattered along the motorways and they do brighten the place up.

Failing this perhaps some shrubs and a few trees would hide the ugly monstrosity and very dirty wall.

BRENDA SOMERVILLE
Owhata