Nostalgic Rotorua

Who remembers the 1976 2nd Festival of the arts ? Who here attended any of the events ? Did any of the travelling performers come to your school to perform during a lunchtime ?

The 2nd South Pacific Festival of Arts (later renamed the Festival of Pacific Arts) was held in Rotorua, New Zealand, from 6 to 13 March 1976. Initiated by former Prime Minister Norman Kirk and backed by the New Zealand Government, the 1976 festival was the largest international gathering hosted in New Zealand since the 1974 Commonwealth Games.
To mark the occasion, various South Pacific nations issued special postage stamps—such as New Caledonia's 27F airmail stamp (Festival des Arts du Pacifique Sud) featuring a carved waka bow against a stylized sun design—and bronze official participant medals ("NZ ’76”) - The "NZ '76" official participant medal was produced as a commemorative keep-sake for the delegation members, performers, artists, and dignitaries attending the 2nd South Pacific Festival of Arts in Rotorua. Its estimated 1200-1500 were made, for all participants and dignitaries etc..

1975 -The DB Rotorua Hotel ( Toa/Warrior Sculpture)
The sculpture was commissioned in 1964 by Dominion Breweries (DB) for what was then the DB Hotel, this public sculpture was created by artist Bryan McCurrach (although some places list students of the Maori Arts n Crafts Institute in its creation as well). It was based off the warrior on the 1933 one shilling coin. The Ta Moko on the face was inspired by the CF Goldie painting of Te Arawa Chief ( Pātara Te Ngūngūkai ). I dont have a clear photo on hand of the face to compare the Ta Moko.
It was gifted to the people of Rotorua and seen as a Te Arawa welcome to visitors. The statue was cast in concrete with a bronze particulate finish.
There is a history behind the coins design, which was by Kruger Gray, which is interesting in itself.

Its still one of the landmarks that are still here, and still great to see.

1962 - when Rotorua became New Zealand’s 17th city the Public Relations office put out a magazine about Rotorua and the future ahead. The illustration you see is the magazine cover. I put it into Ai to generate what it might actually look like according to the illustration and how Rotorua looks. Very amusing really.
They had an image inside the magazine next to the date 2015 - it as a NASA rocket launching. Not sure they saw the future too well in 1962.

Thought this was naive and innocent of the times.

THIS WEEKS CHALLENGE - The LATE NIGHT GO TO… After a night out - Which of the 4 was your go to….

Thumbs up - Joes Diner
Heart Wimpy
Hug heart - Des’ on Arawa
Wow - Kingsize burger
I am aware there was others like Chez Bleu, Hole in the Wall etc.. , feel free to mention those in the comments...

Last weeks bring back challenge - results below
1st Blue Baths - 146 votes
2nd Kuirau Park - 134 votes
3rd - Leisure World - 72 votes
4th Soundshell -10 votes

Lets see which one was your fave.

Thanks to everyone who brought the useage of Brian’s photo to my attention.
Heat FM have removed the images from their page - all is good …. We can now move on with an awesome weekend !!
Meanwhile here’s Brian’s epic photo again, these signs were amazing !!!

I dont know if you've read, but after 10 years the Bath house is now deemed ready to reopen. All works have been done and the council have the keys. I believe a HUGE thanks is due to ALL the donors who came on board to help fund the restoration and repair of the building. They ALL are important and need to be recognised for their contribution. I apologise if I have missed anyone.

I hope a plaque of thanks will be errected in the building to recognise your generosity towards caring for the citys Taonga.

So from Nostalgic Rotorua I’d like to thank the following Key Donors, Funders, and Contributing Organizations

Rotorua Trust
BayTrust
Phillip Verry Charitable Foundation
Friends of Rotorua Museum
Joe & Jo-Anne La Grouw
Lottery Grants Board (Lottery Significant Projects Fund)
New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT)
One Foundation
Grassroots Trust
Pub Charity
Kānoa – Regional Development & Investment Unit / Provincial Growth Fund
Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage
B Company 28 (Māori) NZ Battalion History Trust
Rotorua Lakes Council (your rates at work)

You're all Legends !!!!!

CAST YOUR VOTE - THE 1st NOSTALGIC ROTORUA SHOWDOWN

OK, so you can only bring one of these iconic things…. of these 5 monumental memories from our collective childhoods, which would you bring back. ??
Like the photo with the emoji that gets your vote.

THUMB = TOOT AND WHISTLE
HEART = BLUE BATHS
CARE HUG = FOR LEISURE WORLD
LAUGH = WHITE LIGHTNING
WOW = THE SOUNDSHELL

Lets see which one of the 5 is the one most missed .
I’ll let this go for a while and close off comments when we have the next showdown.

Heres a flashback…. who remembers these??

Leisue World - hydro slides and Dinosaurs, go carts and spacies. Couldn’t want for anything more for summer.

What was the one thing you loved to do?