New Plymouth’s crossings an ‘absolute disgrace’
New Plymouth disability advocates say the city’s pedestrian crossings are an ‘‘absolute disgrace’’ and more should be done to increase their number and make them safer.
Disability Action Inc chairman Graham Cochrane said pedestrian crossings in the inner city were hard to access and even harder to find.
‘‘A lot of crossings are just impossible for people to walk across, especially if they have got a disability. It’s hopeless trying to get across some streets. If you go down St Aubyn St, there is a long way between the pedestrian crossings.’’
The lack of pedestrian crossings, uneven surfaces and no ramps for wheelchairs were among the major issues for a disabled person in town, he said.
And blind New Plymouth woman Beverley McCulloch, who is also the co-ordinator for Blind Citizens NZ Taranaki, agrees. She said there needed to be more crossings in the city.
‘‘New Plymouth doesn’t have enough pedestrian crossings, even on major central streets you have to walk almost a kilometre before coming by a crossing.’’
New Plymouth has 51 pedestrian crossings, 15 of those are within the central business district.
But McCulloch said this was not enough as the roads are without any infrastructure to protect pedestrians in the middle of the road and tactile pavers point in the wrong direction.
‘‘Just because you’re visually impaired it doesn’t mean you don’t want to go for a walk.
‘‘Road wise Wellington is better, it has more pedestrian
A five-storey mural, a street party, and multiple exhibitions will take place in New Plymouth in September to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the presentation of the Māori language petition to Parliament.
The I Am Hana project looks to specifically celebrate Hana Te Hemara (Te Atiawa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāi Tahu), who was a founding member of Ngā Tamatoa – a Māori activist group that operated throughout the 1970s to promote Māori rights.
In September 1972, Ngā Tamatoa presented a petition with more than 30,000 signatures to the Crown to have Māori taught in schools.
‘‘Hana Te Hemara epitomised what it is to be a strong and tenacious woman,’’ said Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa chairperson Liana Poutu, of Te Atiawa, Taranaki, Ngāti Maniapoto.
‘‘Her courage, along with so many from Ngā Tamatoa during the 1970s, paved the way for the thriving kura kaupapa, kōhanga reo and te reo Māori movement we have today.’’
From August 30 to September 15, a five-storey mural of Te Hemara will be painted by renowned artist Graham Hoete, known as Mr G, on the exterior of the Puke Ariki Library.
The start of the mural opens several commemorative events in New Plymouth, which ends with a community celebration at the mural site on King St.
King St between Egmont and
Brougham streets, and Brougham St between Ariki and Devon streets, will be closed on September 15 between midday and 9pm for the mural unveiling.
Events include audio recordings of Te Hemara on the Puke Ariki listening posts, an exhibition by acclaimed photographer John Miller showcasing the life and times of Ngā Tamatoa from the early 1970s, and a panel discussion with Ngā Tamatoa members as they share their challenges and triumphs during the 1970s.
Also, as Te Hemara was a strong advocate for women’s health having passed away from cervical cancer at the early age of 59, the team at Tui Ora will be available to speak with anyone interested in learning more about Smear Your Mea – a kaupapa Māori-led cervical screening campaign.
Howie Tamati, co-chairperson of the New Plymouth District Council’s Te Huinga Taumata, said it was an honour to bring Te Hemara’s story to life for Taranaki residents. It was a wonderful way to honour her and the group’s commitment to the survival of the Māori language, he said.
‘‘I am sure the mural on the Puke Ariki Library building is going to look stunning, be a real drawcard and an immense source of pride for her iwi, hapū and whānau.’’
I Am Hana is a partnership effort between Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa, Ngāti Te Whiti, Puketapu, New Plymouth District Council, Creative New Zealand, Te Taura Whiri, Te Puni Kōkiri, Tui Ora, Venture Taranaki, Te Mātāwai, Toi Foundation, Spark and Nikau Construction. crossings,’’ McCulloch said.
McCulloch’s daughter Halina Sarten, who is also visually impaired, said it can be a real struggle crossing the road in town.
‘‘As visually impaired people, we can’t see the faces of the people in the car. So we don’t know whether they’ve seen us,’’ Sarten said.
‘‘You are relying on the goodwill of the drivers. But people are more interested in getting somewhere as fast as they can. All they’re focused on is getting there as quickly as possible.’’
The lack of crossings doesn’t just affect a few people either – Taranaki Disabilities Information Centre estimates 29% of the people in the region are disabled, which is about 36,000 people.
However, the New Plymouth District Council has no major plans to speak of.
Transportation manager Rui Leitao said $100,000 would be invested on new pedestrian crossings over the next two years. ‘‘We haven’t installed any new crossings in the CBD area in the last two years and nothing is planned for the next year,’’ Leitao said.
The most recent to be installed in the district was a $500,000 signalled crossing in Inglewood.
‘‘Hana Te Hemara epitomised what it is to be a strong and tenacious woman.’’ Liana Poutu Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa chairperson