Saturday, June 30, 2012

#1861 ... The House on the Hill

A tribute to Ian Athfield, renown Wellington architect. This is a piece modelled after his iconic home that rambles down the hills overlooking the Wellington Harbour.

Friday, June 29, 2012

#1860 ... Vixens

Three members of the Melbourne Vixen netball team striding their way through the city. They played the Wellington Pulse and won ... hmmmm.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

#1857 ... Sliced Rodent

Another of those interesting murals that you find on the sides of buildings around Wellington. This one near the carpark at the back of the Reading Theatre Complex.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Saturday, June 23, 2012

#1854 ... Moody Grey Day

A moody grey harbour for Staurday morning ... overcast, windy with occasional rain ... certainly not summer!

Friday, June 22, 2012

#1853 ... Another Theatre Doorway

And across the road from Bats Theatre is Downstage ... and is the country's longest running professional theatre, established in 1964. The founders at the inaugural meeting in the Wellington Public Library on 15 May 1964 were actors Peter Bland, Tim Elliott and Martyn Sanderson, with restauranteur Harry Seresin for the business arrangements. Sanderson believed in a small professional company in Wellington performing challenging works in an intimate venue. The first locally-written production, in 1966, was Father's Day a dark social comedy by Peter Bland starring Pat Evison as the eccentric mother with two pregnant daughters. The theatre is based at the Hannah Playhouse which seats approximately 250 people in the main auditorium, and is situated in Courtenay Place in central Wellington. The present building opened in 1973, and replaced earlier premises upstairs on the same site. Downstage temporarily occupied the Star Boating Club during construction.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

#1852 ... Doorway to the Stars

BATS Theatre is an intimate theatre in downtown Wellington. They are committed to bringing you a range of exciting works and are proud to be supporters of burgeoning New Zealand talent. The iconic Wellington BATS Theatre building was bought by movie moguls Sir Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh in Novemebr 2011. The couple purchased 1 Kent Tce, which has been the theatre's home for 22 years in the Courtenay Pl precinct, and granted the company a long term lease. The three-storey 1923 building was offered for sale earlier this year by its previous owner, the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, for $1.19 million. "BATS has always fostered original Kiwi talent and provides an incredibly supportive environment for up-and-coming writers, directors, musicians and actors. We feel its unique voice is worth preserving and protecting and we look forward to refurbishing the theatre and enhancing the performance space." BATS has launched the careers of some the capital's most famous actors including the Flight of the Concords duo Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, Boy director Taika Waititi, Outrageous Fortune star Robyn Malcolm, Shortland Street actor Michael Galvin and performer Jacob Rajan. Many plays which premiered there have been picked up by other theatres and festivals including Apollo 13 and Heat.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

#1851 ... Dramatic Harbour

A dramatic morning photo of Wellington Harbour. Thanks to Paola Brett who captured the moment. Check out "Wellington, Coolest Little Capital" by Wellington Tourism, twitter : @Wellington_NZ

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

#1850 ... Celebration Cookies

The Wellington Railway Station has marked its 75th birthday in style with cake, music and a steamy blast from the past. The station opened in 1937 and was then the country's largest building and one of its first seismic proofed structures. It is now New Zealand's busiest railway station, with more than 40,000 people passing through on a weekday. Four trains representing the past 75 years of commuter services in Wellington were on display at the station platforms today - a steam train, an English Electric, a Ganz Mavag and a Matangi train. Lunch hour commuters were treated to a hot lunch straight off the steam train's coal shovel. Steam train driver Phil Wagener, 63, has been involved with trains for 46 years and said it was important to recognise the history while looking forward to the future. ''Rail is on such a rise at the moment. It's wonderful to see the station actually recognised.'' He said cooking bacon and eggs was a common practice on the train and they often whipped up sausages and onions too. ''We don't starve.'' Early morning passengers didn't miss out either. They were greeted with music and a morning tea of cake and muffins. The building was designed by W. Gray Young from Wellington architectural firm Gray Young, Morton & Young. The firm had recently finished designing several significant Victoria University buildings including the Stout Building (1930) and Weir House (1930). It was built by Fletcher Building on reclaimed land and when completed was New Zealand's largest building. The Doric columns on the entrance side and vaulted ceilings give it a majestic feeling. The platforms are designed to accommodate up to 12 carriages. Railway reforms in the 1980s left much of the building disused, but new tenants including Victoria University have since been found for parts of the station. New World opened a Metro supermarket in the station in 2006.

Monday, June 18, 2012

#1849 ... Coffee in the sun

A great place when there is no wind ... and the sun is shining. Post Office Square.Lower Willis Street.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

#1847 ... A Tad Cold

YES it has been a bit colder around here ... even the statue of Mr Plimmer needed to wrap up in a scarf. THANKS TO DAVID FOR THE IMAGE

Friday, June 15, 2012

#1846 ... The End of the Day


The night sky over the Field Day site...Hamilton.

#1845 ... Mounted

A great way to get around a very large exhibition site that is crowded with thousands of people and exhibitors. Police on horse back. NZ Field Days, Hamilton, NZ ... IMAGE by an out of town Wellington resident!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

#1844 ... The V8 Cut


Another image from the NZ Field Days event ... the sound was enough to get everyone along ... a V8 powered chain saw ... an awesome aural experience. Hamilton, NZ

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

#1843 ... Uniformed

This image is from the NZ Field Days in Hamilton ... the largest farming trade exhibition in New Zealand. This is on the Honda site ... black, red and gumboots.Hamilton,NZ

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

#1842 ... Two faces

Two interesting characters at Wellington Airport ... courtesy of Weta Workshop.

Monday, June 11, 2012

#1841 ... Well Plated

A very appropriate number plate for a black VW Beetle. Featherston St

Sunday, June 10, 2012

#1840 ... Coffee to Go

Coffee to go has become part of the regular scene in Wellington ... even waiting for the bus is time enough to have your transportable fix. Lambton Quay

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Friday, June 8, 2012

#1838 ... Good Wine

Arbitrageur ... great food, great wine ... and atmosphere to go with it. Featherston St.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

#1837 ... Forgotten Something

Just in case you forgot to get it ... maybe you will find it here ... Barber Shop, Featherston St

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

#1836 ... The Cable Guy

Emergency repairs to a chair in the lounge of the movie theatre ... innovative use of cable ties. Embassey Theatre, Wellington

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

#1835 ... Competition

Competition in the supermarket. All the supermarkets run specials to get you to buy more than $200 of groceries so you can get a discount of 21c, 25c, 30c and now 35c off each litre of petrol you purchase. Obviously Countdown was caught with their old 30c discount posters and had to make some quick adjustments following a Pak'n'Save promotion.

Monday, June 4, 2012

#1834 ... Water Flow

The non-splashing water feature. Grey Street, between Featherston Street and Lambton Quay (in background behind sculpture)

Sunday, June 3, 2012

#1835 ... Changing Tune

Changing the billboard at Downstage Theatre, Courtenay Place. Live Music is great theatre.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

#1834 ... Cones of Silence

The Guardians of the City are out in force today ... not a lot to say ... but keeping us out of harms way. Courtenay Place.

Friday, June 1, 2012

#1833 ... Ripe Coffee

Just the place for that morning coffee ... Ripe, Featherston Street