Thursday, November 23, 2017
Jamie Boynton’s inspiring light waka replaces Opotiki’s Christmas tree which took a battering during Cyclone Cook. File photo
Ross McCullough
YESTERDAY morning a small group of whanau, friends and supporters gathered at the flag pole of the former Opotiki Christmas tree on Elliot Street, to welcome its replacement - Jamie Boynton’s inspiring light waka.
The light waka replaces Opotiki’s Christmas tree which took a battering during Cyclone Cook earlier this year.
Boynton said he was around during the storm and saw the Christmas tree “pretty much wrecked” with the bare flag pole then seeming to him like the perfect place to put the light waka.
While good to look at and admire during the day, the real treat or real experience, he said, was at night when the sculpture was all lit up.
While acknowledging the enhancement of Opotiki’s ancient traditions, Boynton said Te Waka o Tamarereti or light waka, also represented Opotiki moving collectively forward as a people into the light or new age.
He said it symbolised a new beginning for the iwi and community at large.
When asked, he said the light waka loosely connected to the plans with Opotiki’s Harbour Project.
“The timing is auspicious because of the new developments for Opotiki and specific projects heralding a new age and opportunities,” he said.
The sculpture was originally commissioned by Lux Wellington for a light festival in the capital.
Tomorrow two more of Boynton’s artworks will be unveiled at Opotiki Primary School.
The artworks commissioned by the school which are of Ranginui, Maori god of the sky, and Papatuanuku, the earth mother.
Ross McCullough
YESTERDAY morning a small group of whanau, friends and supporters gathered at the flag pole of the former Opotiki Christmas tree on Elliot Street, to welcome its replacement - Jamie Boynton’s inspiring light waka.
The light waka replaces Opotiki’s Christmas tree which took a battering during Cyclone Cook earlier this year.
Boynton said he was around during the storm and saw the Christmas tree “pretty much wrecked” with the bare flag pole then seeming to him like the perfect place to put the light waka.
While good to look at and admire during the day, the real treat or real experience, he said, was at night when the sculpture was all lit up.
While acknowledging the enhancement of Opotiki’s ancient traditions, Boynton said Te Waka o Tamarereti or light waka, also represented Opotiki moving collectively forward as a people into the light or new age.
He said it symbolised a new beginning for the iwi and community at large.
When asked, he said the light waka loosely connected to the plans with Opotiki’s Harbour Project.
“The timing is auspicious because of the new developments for Opotiki and specific projects heralding a new age and opportunities,” he said.
The sculpture was originally commissioned by Lux Wellington for a light festival in the capital.
Tomorrow two more of Boynton’s artworks will be unveiled at Opotiki Primary School.
The artworks commissioned by the school which are of Ranginui, Maori god of the sky, and Papatuanuku, the earth mother.