The suburb of Whitby, where this journey largely takes place, strides across the lumpy hills overlooking Pauatahanui Inlet. This large estuarine wetland is home to many waterbirds, threatened fish species and plants. Whitby has grown like topsy since it was first established in the 1960s. It raced eastwards with the ever-increasing demand for housing, and now presses up against the freshly opened Transmission Gully motorway.
Some years ago, Pataka Art + Museum held a thought-provoking exhibition about the creation of Porirua titled We Built This City. Early development plans for Whitby were similar to North American new towns, which aimed to relocate populations away from cities and group homes, industry, culture, recreation and shopping into planned communities. I seem to recall that the original aim of creating houses with open and fenceless front yards was to develop community spirit and relationships. These days most of the newer house builds have double garages, that open with remotes, and drivers seamlessly glide into the recesses of homes. It’s fair to say that Whitby, like many suburbs, orientates itself around car culture.
Continue reading “Spirit of the Valley”
Edge of Things 