Stump Carving

Stump carving project – State Highway 50

The Stump Carving project began in September /October 2006

Old macrocarpa trees on the edge of the Napier Golf links course were felled by the Unison Power company because of their close proximity to the power-lines. The initiative to carve the stumps came from within the Waiohiki Creative Art Village.

Trust Manager Jenny Weichbrodt visited the Napier Golf Club and began negotiations with the Napier Golf club to transform the stumps into roadside artworks.

Stump one – The Pa Whakairo Group (John Nelson, Hugh Tareha and Te Rangi Robin) and independent sculptor Sean Geenty worked together on project unpaid. They elected to put the money they would have earnt through a contractual agreement for their time and skills towards the various tools, a generator and safety gear that their collective could then go on to utilise in future stump carving projects.

Stump One

‘The Handy Caddy’ (crouching golfer with clubs)
Sponsored by Stihl NZ, Total Mower services Greenmeadows, Pub Charity ,Creative Hastings, Heretaunga Community Trust

Carved by Sean Geenty, John Nelson, Hugh Tareha, Te Rangi Robin.

Stump 2

‘Art Deco golfing lady/ man crouching’
Sponsored by the Gwen Malden Trust.

Carved Jan-March 2007

Stump 4

Depicts Kapi Tareha
Sponsored by Lion foundation: Work in progress

Kapi Tareha is a descendent of Local chief Tareha Te Moananui. Kapi Tareha was an accomplished golfer, and won New Zealand open golfing championship in the 1920s. Sculptor Hugh Tareha is a direct descendant of Kapi Tareha.

Artists: Sean Geenty, Hugh Tareha

Stump 5

Depiction of two children
Sponsored by Lion foundation and Jane Crosse: Work will shortly begin on stump 5

Jane Crosse’s Father-in-law was Hugh Crosse. Hugh Crosse played golf with Kapi Tareha. She is the widow of Tom Crosse.