7 November 2018

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Hemo sculpture and Te Arawa war memorial progress

Enquiry

Regarding Hemo sculpture:

[In the recording of the recent Operations & Monitoring Committee meeting] Henry [Weston, Council's Operations Group Manager] says things are progressing will but there were "logistical difficulties in terms of timing" and that for "safety reasons" it wouldn't be installed until February.

I was after some clarification around, what are those safety reasons, and does the delay have anything to do with the crash at the end of August (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12116798)?

Regarding restoration oif the Te Arawa Memorial:

I heard [this] won't be finished in time for Armistice Day.

From searching I see the council's latest update was April https://www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/our-council/news/Pages/default.aspx?newsItem=7883 and showed it was on track for completion.

Could you please let me know; the reason for the delay, when it is expected to be finished now, what the official unveiling of the restored memorial on Anzac day might look like as mentioned in the meeting.

Response

From Kilwell Chief Executive Craig Wilson re Hemo sculpture:

The printing and fabrication of the sculpture elements is going well however the testing of each of the elements is taking longer than expected. As discussed previously, the scale of this project is entirely new concept globally so it is difficult to pinpoint how long certain parts of the process will take. The team involved also have to factor in final assembly, painting and transportation to the site.

For clarification:

To clarify Mr Weston's comments re 'safety' he was speaking about a safe time estimate rather than physical safety of the site or sculpture. It was not related to the crash at the roundabout earlier this year.

From Arts and Culture Manager Stewart Brown re Te Arawa memorial restoration:

The Te Arawa Memorial restoration project is being led by Rotorua's WW100 committee and they are actively working with the artists involved. The stonework, undertaken by Marco Brger, is complete and the replica bronze casts of the eight pou, made by Te Puia, are also finished. Installation of these elements must happen at the same time as the installation of the replica carving of Rangitihi. The carving of Rangitihi started later than expected but is on track to be completed by the end of the year.

For info only:

Details of the unveiling at next year's Anzac Day commemorations have not been finalised. This will be led by Rotorua's WW100 committee.