Focus Paihia’s special day
A two-metre koru carving has been placed on the Paihia village green to commemorate Focus Paihia’s award for Supreme Winner of the Trustpower Community Awards in 2015.
The laminated carving is a replica of the Trustpower National Community Award that was presented to the organisation for their win.
After gaining permission from the creator of the original trophy, Owen Mapp, carvers in the Northland Regional Corrections Facility (NRCF) whakairo workshop created the replica.
Made out of native totara, the koru, was unveiled in a special dawn ceremony on September 29.
Chairperson Grant Harnish welcomed guests before the blessing and unveiling of the carving which was led by Ngati Kawa Taituha, a trustee member of Focus Paihia Charitable Trust.
‘‘The carving symbolises Paihia and the Bay of Islands’ thriving spirit,’’ Focus Paihia coordinator Tiffany Holland says.
NRCF and Focus Paihia have a longstanding relationship, with the two organisations working together on a number of community projects, involving the prisoners.
Prison Director David Pattinson says the carving was a culmination of hard work between the carvers, Deputy Mayor Tania McInnes and Focus Paihia.
After taking over the prison directorship several years ago Pattinson was determined to bring the community and the prison closer together.
‘‘As part of my networking we have built up a relationship, Tania had seen the prisoner’s work, which was in the same style of the original trophy.’’
This enabled the carvers to create a replica for display, he says.
The trust spearheads a number of projects in the Bay of Islands with the Waitangi Mountain Bike Park to be officially opened on October 16.
Beautification of the Paihia Village Green is another project that Focus Paihia is undertaking with support from the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board.
Over the past couple of years the group has also placed the ‘Paihia Swimming Pontoon’ at Taiputuputu Pahi beach, seating projects and maintenance of the Paihia township among others.