Te Tui Nuiis the new sculpture on the corner of Eruera and Tutanekai streets by local artist Trevor Nathan. Photo/Ben Fraser
Te Tui Nuiis the new sculpture on the corner of Eruera and Tutanekai streets by local artist Trevor Nathan. Photo/Ben Fraser
A one-tonne sculpture of a native tui was lowered into position on the corner of Rotorua's Tutanekai and Eruera Sts yesterday and has already become a talking point.
The 3.2m-high piece provides the finishing touch to a makeover of the busy intersection, which is part of the Rotorua District Council'spartnership with community stakeholders to revitalise the inner city.
The council says the tui sculpture will form another link in a proposed sculpture trail for Rotorua and follows earlier installation of carved sculptures on two corners of Tutanekai and Pukuatua Sts.
Named Te Tui Nui the latest artwork has been carved from black poplar wood and is on loan to the city from talented Rotorua artist Trevor Nathan. It is on the intersection's south east corner outside the offices of State Insurance. State Insurance's Carol Ralph said it was an exciting talking point and would breathe new life into a corner which was a popular meeting place for people. "I met the artist this morning while they were installing the sculpture and he said the tui was part of what New Zealand is - and I like that because it's inclusive to all - locals and tourists alike."
The intersection upgrade involved construction of new wider pedestrian refuges to provide safer crossings and to improve Tutanekai St's pedestrian connection. Kerbing has been flattened to make crossing easier for mobility scooters and seating has been raised to improve accessibility for the elderly. New streetscape plantings, an irrigation system, cycle stand and wooden decking have also been installed as part of the project.
The council's Inner City Revitalisation portfolio leader councillor Karen Hunt said everyone had been working well together and stepping up to make things happen. "People are noticing the transformation that's taking place. The ball is really rolling with our revitalisation programme," she said.
Work has also started on the next intersection upgrade at the end of Tutanekai St opposite the entrance to Rotorua Central Mall.
