A proposal was unveiled yesterday for a Weta Workshop-designed rugby-themed sculpture to grace the city, somewhere, In Time For The Rugby World Cup.
The sculpture is highly symbolic, with the DomPost providing a list of all the symbolism, but what does the sculpture most resemble?
Te Papa's forecourt may look as if it's under attack by giant glittery space balls, but it's actually the start of a two-year kinetic sculpture installation called "The Mimetic Brotherhood", by Peter Trevelyan.
There's not much kinesis evident at the moment, but once the installation is complete, expect the plinth-eating monsters to start pulsating in their full hydraulic glory.
While the Hook of Maui has been scrapped due to cost overruns and problems with the frickin' laser, the Wellington City Council is still keen on the idea of a gateway sculpture, and indeed the competition will be re-run later his year.
So you can't sleep right? If the Fringe festival has left you all over stimulated and you are in need of night time novelty may I suggest that you head to the Watsui tonight for the start of a frenetic 24 hour art gumball rally around Wellington.
There's been a bit of action going on at the old Bucket Fountain, icon of Cuba Street.
First, it mysteriously disappeared:
We initially thought this was a retro '80s David Copperfield-style magic trick, but it turns out it was just taken down for maintenance.
The fountain returned, with a fresh coat of paint, ready to splash the good folk of Cuba Mall once again.
It may not be Wellingtonista Awards season just yet, but here's another chance to put in a plug for your favourite things in the Wellington built environment. The Wellington Civic Trust Awards are coming up, and the trust wants your nominations for the best recent contributions in the following fields: Building Heritage Environmental Public Space Street Art Nnominations close on the 18th of August, and nominated projects must have been completed since the previous awards in 2005. There's also a separate voting form for best new sculpture, and if the sculpture that does it for you isn't on that list, you could always nominate it in the Street Art category.
The Hutt is a seething mass of culture (as if you didn't know), and at the moment there is a particularly splendid outdoor exhibition of sculpture, Shape Shifter.
Here's another one of the wee guys in this series of temporary sculptures:
Quite an appropriate location, atop the long-abandoned toilets and amid the construction of the new Courtenay Place park.
This is one of my favourite places in Wellington: ... and if anyone ever tries to do it harm, as I've heard rumours of happening in the past, well... they just better watch out. Sorry for the crappy photo.
Well, you'd really have to know your way around to guess today's piece just by the photo here. One of the things I've been enjoying is not having to wander too far from the apartment to find some amazing[ly weird] stuff around for you to look at.
One of the things about living in a great city like Wellington is that there are a hell of a lot of things to take for granted. I mention this because while listening to Don McGlashan in Civic Square the other day he mentioned that Auckland doesn't really have any civic art. I'm not sure that's entirely true... But, in the spirit of parochial one-upmanship I thought I'd bring you some of Wellington's oft-overlooked art and sculpture.
Kia ora St John’s whānau, I hope you’re keeping warm, as we feel the brink of snow! This Sunday we unpack the next two priorities of our Vision Refresh: Priority 5 – Discipleship: A Distinctive Community that Integrates Newcomers into Meaningful Pathways of Growth Priority 6 – Tradition and Innovation: Authenticity over Trend Our St J’s Kids and youth will start at 10am in the St John’s Centre in their peer groups. And then they will come across to the church so we can all celebrate the meal of Communion together. After the service we will all share morning tea and coffee in the St John’s Centre. And we have our final Souper Sunday of the winter season (see details below). If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here is the link to access the live-stream: Link to Zoom Service If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet: Printable Service Sheet OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... SOUPER SUNDAY Souper Sunday is this Sunday (9th August). This will be the last Souper Sunday for the Winter. Please join us after morning tea for delicious hot soup. No charge but we would appreciate something small to have with our tea/coffee after soup. Thank you for your contribution. CREATION CARE Come and join in this tree planting with a team from Church on the afternoon of Sunday 9th August. Tawatawa Reserve in Owhiro Bay Meet at the Tawatawa sign board and map, just up the hill from the car park on Murchison Street. Please dress warmly, bring strong footwear that can get muddy, and gardening gloves if you have them. If rained off we will postpone to the 16th of August. PRESBYTERY GATHERING Twice a year, Presbytery Central holds their Gathering. We’re looking forward to gathering again as Presbytery Central on 15th August 2026, this time exploring what it means to be Presbyterian in today’s world. Centred on the theme Cooperation – working together, this Gathering will celebrate our shared identity, tell stories of collaboration from around the Presbytery, and consider how we can faithfully serve God’s mission together in Central New Zealand. We are honoured to welcome Right Rev Peter Dunn, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, as our keynote speaker. Peter will reflect on the strengths of our Presbyterian tradition and the opportunities before us as we seek to be churches that are connected, discerning, and hopeful. Throughout the day we’ll hear inspiring stories of cooperation between congregations, ministries, and communities, before concluding with a panel conversation featuring Peter, Rev Erin Pendreigh, and Rev Allister Lane, exploring what it means to be Presbyterian today and where God may be leading us next. Join us at St Alban’s, Palmerston North, from 10:30am on Saturday 15 August 2026, for a day of worship, encouragement, conversation, and vision as we reflect on Our Story. Our Calling. Our Future. Whether you’ve been part of the Presbyterian Church for decades or are newer to our community, this Gathering is an opportunity to reconnect, learn from one another, and be inspired for the journey ahead. Details and Registration SCOTS FOUNDERS SERVICE On Sunday 23rd August, 4pm we host the annual Founders Service with all our friends from the Scots College community. You are welcome to come and be part of this worship, as we celebrate the vision of those who started the Church Schools and for the enduring legacy of Christian influence in our city. RECITAL: ROSE LIGHT & GABRIEL BAIRD Monday, 24 August at 7:30pm at St Michael’s Anglican Church in Kelburn for a spectacular evening of chamber music. Rose studied violin in Wellington at the NZ School of Music prior to moving to Austria, returns for this recital alongside pianist Gabriel Baird. Time: Doors open at 7:00pm | Concert begins at 7:30pm Tickets: $35 Adult / $25 CSC & Under 24 (Cash sales may be available at the door) https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/rose-light-gabriel-baird-recital-wellington/wellington St Johns Church Camp is back! (Only happens every second year!) Join us 18–20 Sept at Forest Lakes, Ōtaki for two nights of faith, fun, connection, and relaxation. Expect: worship, Bible reflections, great chats, games, fully catered meals, awesome company, and unforgettable moments (including Dave Wood’s legendary bonfire). Take a break from the busyness of life, grow deeper in your faith, and connect with your church whānau. Don’t miss it! You can now register HERE Church Camp OFFICE HOURS St John’s Office is closed on Mondays. All functions of the office will be available the other working days of the week. Check out more of what’s happening at St John’s on the website: https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/upcoming-events The St John’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/St-Johns-In-The-City-Wellington-197057586974092/ The Facebook group created as a safe space just for our St J’s Whānau: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18qCo6CmJP/?mibextid=wwXIfr Mā te wā Allister
Above: Action from the Wellington Centurions v Whanganui match last year, with the Centurions winning 41-0 at the Hutt Rec. The two sides meet at Cooks Gardens tomorrow in the Centurions’ first game of the year and Whanganui’s last before the Heartland Championship gets underway next weekend. Photo: Kinetic Images. By Scott MacLean & Steven...
