One of the first items of business for the new Council was the unveiling and blessing of an artwork in the newly refurbished boardroom at the Council's Stratford office.
The work is by contemporary Maori artist Rangi Kipa and its broad themes encompass the environment and all the people within it. Its symbolism includes the mountain and the three Taranaki waka, Aotea, Kurahaupō and Tokomaru.
The blessing was performed by kaumatua Sandy Parata, supported by Dave West snr, Teoiroa (Joyce) Luke, Shauna Goble and Hemi Sundgren, who spoke on behalf of the artist.
They are pictured with Council Chairman David MacLeod, Deputy Chairman David Lean, Councillors Tom Cloke, Donald McIntyre, Neil Walker, Michael Joyce, Matthew McDonald, Craig Williamson, Mike Davey, Charlotte Littlewood and Bev Raine, Chief Executive Basil Chamberlain and Council officers Sam Tamarapa and Te Kere Davey.
RECOUNT — Taranaki Regional Council's quarterly newsletter
Issue 103, December 2016