Honour for local author Patricia Grace
A word tower commemorating local resident and internationally acclaimed author Patricia Grace was unveiled last weekend.
The word tower, near the harbour edge in Wi Neera Drive opposite Whitireia’s main entry, is part of a series of artistic installations being erected to make a city writers’ walk. The Porirua Community Arts Council is working with the Council to create the walk.
Mayor Nick Leggett said the walk would inspire and engage.
’’This walk of special artworks acknowledging our remarkable local writers will be an experience that people come to Porirua for.
‘‘Our harbour is a beautiful place to visit and now this walk provides a complementary activity. What a great way to recognise the rich legacy of writers and poets who have lived and worked in Porirua City.’’
Already installed is a Pou commemorating the wordsmith Te Rangihaeata at the corner of Wi Neera Drive and Titahi Bay Road, which marks the start of the walk.
Over the next five years a number of artistic installations will be appearing along the waterfront pathway.
Porirua Community Arts Council spokesperson Adrian Shields said it was great to start the walk by recognising Patricia Grace.
‘‘While we are excited about the writers’ walk becoming real, and are enjoying working with both the City Council and Ngati Toa Rangatira on this, today is about acknowledging Pat, her leadership and courage as a writer, and her contribution to Porirua and the Nation.’’
The community was invited to share their views on who should feature on the walk.
‘‘People can play a part in Porirua’s history by helping choose which of our writers and poets will be commemorated in the Porirua City Writers’ Walk,’’ he said.
The scoping group is currently looking at installing at least one commemoration a year. Names under consideration include Alistair Te Ariki Campbell, Briar Grace Smith and Michael King, Sam Hunt, Adrienne Jansen, Alison Wong, Louis Johnson, Eliza- beth Knox, Gary McCormack and children’s authors Juliette MacIver and Jack Lasenby.
‘‘We are working closely with some local writers to find suitable texts which reflect the area in which the artworks will stand – the land forms, harbour, and skies.’’