This city of ours has some fabulous little pedestrian byways and shortcuts which make walking at times a slightly smug activity – those few moments that cars don’t have an advantage over foot traffic, and steps which even challenge seasoned mountain bikers. We even enjoy the occasionally misplaced carpark – the ones which were bought to be built on but the developer’s luck has turned, the…
Fish
1,103 Articles
Maximus
3 Min Read
It’s good to see that there is a decent amount of interest in urban matters amongst Wellingtonians, with a couple of recent posts sparking off some healthy discussion. The debate on Manners Mall about the extent of Te Aro Park and the eventual removal of the failed Oaks complex, bought to mind another potential park a bit further up Cuba St. First brought up by a…
Maximus
2 Min Read
We had another post planned for today, but if ever there was a story that this blog should be discussing, then this is it. We’re big on mythology here at Eye of the Fish – we like the improbable tale that Maui and his brothers were in a big waka and overdid it with their kai moana quota, and basically fished up Aotearoa from the depths….
Maximus
2 Min Read
Venice has been in the news lately, with the highest floods recorded for 20 years. La Serenissima has always had a penchant for the wet and the melodramatic, but their recent experience is leaving them more than wet around the edges. While floods and Spring tides have always occurred, wetting the feet of the wealthy and raising the level in the tidal lagoon well above the…
Maximus
2 Min Read
Breaking architectural news this morning is that architect Jorn Utzon has died, aged 90. BBC has full coverage here, although I suspect that most of you already know the story: Utzon won the competition for the Sydney Opera House, walked out part way through construction, and never went back to Australia. The Opera House (competition 1957, completion 1973) is now happily described as an icon…
Maximus
1 Min Read
So I was thinking to myself, as you do on a fine summer’s day like today: what is it that makes Cuba St so special, whereas Manners Mall just doesn’t cut the mustard? Is it the paving? Grey bricks just aren’t as warm and friendly as the orange hues of Cuba. Is it the architecture? Cuba’s sure is older, while Manners is newer: but is that…
Maximus
1 Min Read
Yes, tonight is the night for the architectural community, as the local Wellington region Awards for Architecture and annual knees up are being held tonight. Last year the awards went to the New Dowse, the Masterton Police Station and the Greytown Town Hall, Holiday Inn, the new Maritime Tower, Len Lye’s water whirler, the waterfront refurbishment of Shed 13, and the highly deserved award for Conservation…
Maximus
4 Min Read
As you’ve probably noticed, the WCC is canvassing for opinions on the proposed change to the bus route through Manners Mall. We’re a bit surprised how little public dialogue there has been so far on the proposal – and so we thought we’d open up a place for your informal dialogue and discussion to go. The picture above is of Manners Mall, taken on the corner…
Maximus
3 Min Read
On a small and temporary slant away from the woes, whys and wherefores of Wellington’s wonderful wacky edifaces and erections, we’d just like to note that the Eye of the Fish has been nominated for a TAWA by our fast and furiously blogging colleagues over at the Wellingtonista. It’s a great honour – we’re not worthy – especially as Tumeke says we have slipped to position…
Maximus
1 Min Read
The Basin Reserve: do you want Flyovers with that? I can’t believe that people are seriously thinking about this awful proposal. There is a meeting next week to organise a group against this throwback to the 1950s, at St Joseph’s church, on 25th November. Read more about it here. Meantime, those that are in favour (hands up Mayor Kerry and the Transit crew), should ponder this:…