Hotere Gardens, Port Chalmers

 I know we are a day or two into the new year

 but as this is my first post this year I would like

 to wish you all a very Happy New Year

 and all you could wish for during 2016.

************

On New Year's Eve afternoon my GKB and I went down the harbour and spent the afternoon with his sister 

and her husband. It was a beautiful day and we spent 

a large part of the afternoon sitting out

 in their garden overlooking the water. Beautiful.

Unfortunately I never took a photo of the view 

but here is another one of the harbour 
from further up the hill at Flagstaff Lookout.

On our way home we decided to go up Flagstaff, 

we haven't been up there for years, and we had a nice surprise.

When we turned around from taking photo's we saw 

a sign telling us about the Hotere Gardens Oputae. 

So take a load off your feet and take five minutes

 to have a look around the garden with us.

They were new to us and definitely new to my GKB 

who grew up in Port Chalmers. So we went exploring.

Ralph Hotere is (or was) a New Zealand artist 

who lived in Port  for a few years. My father knew him 

and I think Mum may have met him once or twice 

when they lived there. I have seen his work in art galleries

 but it is not to my taste. I just don't get it. Other people do.

This is his work.  

It is called Black Phoenix.

I like the fact it has been incorporated in a native garden

 along with three other sculptures from other artists.

A totem pole. It has the word Aramoana carved onto it.

Aramoana is where there was a lot of political controversy 

about an aluminium smelter being built.

Several years later a shooting tragedy occurred 

involving the whole community and I'm not sure which event

 is being commemorated with the totem. Maybe both.

It was carved by Chris Booth.

This is a sculpture by Shona Rapira Davies.

The plaque nearby reads:

They do cut down the poles that hold up the sky. 1989.

This one is by Russel Moses and is named 

Brick Column.

It was a lovely day just to stroll around the little garden, 

and it is small.There are nice paths to walk on and one

 or two seats to sit and just enjoy the garden or the view. 

Take a picnic lunch. And ponder!

And when you are finished if you want to you can walk 

down a path to the road around to Back Beach 

or the Yachting Club.

I hope you've enjoyed this little hidden gem as much as we did.

And if you want to know more just click

 on the links in the dialogue.

joining Stephanie over at:

roses of inspiration 

and

Amy at Love Made my Home for:

Five on Friday

Have a wonderful week,

look after yourselves and 

I'll see you next time.

Diana