Giant murals mark town’s history
A massive mural project is well on the way to becoming a major tourist attraction in Waimate.
The project is the brainchild of Transport Waimate boss Barry Sadler, who has enlisted the help of Waimate artist Bill Scott.
The four silos, built in 1934 to store grain, will eventually be adorned with giant murals that give historic perspective to the area. There will be viewing platforms and information boards.
The first painting to be completed commemorates the meeting of Chief Te Huruhuru with Michael Studholme in 1854.
Work on the second mural is under way and depicts former Prime Minister Norman Kirk, born and buried in Waimate, at Treaty of Waitangi celebrations.
Sadler said the first painting faces the 1934 monument that marks the meeting place between Te Huruhuru and Studholme.
He said Te Huruhuru, of Waitaha, Kati Mamoe and Kai Tahu descent, was chief of Te Waimatemate Pa and the most important man in the Waimate district when the first European settlers arrived.
In 1854 Te Huruhuru met Studholme and came to an agreement with him about the new settlers’ occupation on the land.
Transport Waimate officer supervisor Leanne Sadler said there had been significant public interest in the murals.
‘‘We have spent a lot of time deciding what we wanted, working out the logistics.
‘‘We had all sorts of different ideas and in the end we wanted to use the silos to celebrate Waimate.’’
The Sadlers were keeping the subject of the final mural a secret and were looking forward to celebrating the project’s completion later this year.