Writers Walk
A sculpture walk that celebrates the rich legacy of writers and playwrights from around Porirua. Launced in 2015 with the PCC Pou commemorating Te Rangihaeata.
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The idea of a Porirua City Writers’ Walk has been under discussion for some time now. Following an initial approach made to the Porirua Community Arts Council and a project launch in 2012, a financial commitment was sought from the Porirua City Council in order to create a writers’ walk which would reflect the rich legacy of writers and poets who have lived and worked in the city.
This commitment was formalised in the PCC long term plan, commencing in the 2015-16 financial year. Already installed is a Pou commemorating the wordsmith Te Rangihaeata at the corner of Wineera Drive and Titahi Bay Road, a Ngati Toa/ City Council project launched in 2015 and one which serves to mark the start of the walk. Over the next five years a number of artistic installations will be appearing along the waterfront pathway, around as far as the Pirate’s Cove Mini Golf site. These will be landscaped and ‘people friendly’ spaces, suitable for all to explore.
The Arts Council is currently looking at the design and installation of at least one Writers’ Walk commemoration a year for the next five years, and is working with local writers to find suitable texts which reflect the area in which the works will stand – the landforms, harbour, skies for example.
Information about each commemoration will appear on this site - the group is very keen that the educational and artistic values of the Writers’ Walk reach a wide audience.
The working group welcomes your views! Do you have skills to offer the project?
Writers currently under consideration include Briar Grace Smith, Sam Hunt, Adrienne Jansen, Alison Wong, Louis Johnson, Elizabeth Knox, Gary McCormack, and children’s authors Juliette MacIver and Jack Lasenby… and more.
If you have a view, or skills to offer the working group, we would love to hear from you. Please email us at writerswalk@poriruaartscouncil.org.nz
A sculpture on the Porirua Writers' Walk honours esteemed author Patricia Grace.
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Standing about 3m high, the iron sculpture is inscribed with a quote from Mrs Grace's 1986 novel, Potiki:
"Morning came slowly giving outline to the sea and hills, patterning the squares of houses, moulding the rocks, the power poles and the low scrub."
The third sculpture commemorates nationally and internationally acclaimed writer Michael King.
The sculpture in the form of a large window depicts the view mentioned in text from Being Pakeha Now, 1998
Fourth sculpture along the route, a tribute to New Zealand poet, playwright and novelist Alistair Te Ariki Campbell.
The sculpture reflects the themes of waka and ocean passage.
Soon to be installed, the fifth sculpture honours novelist Elizabeth Knox.