A discussion between an Oamaru businessman and a Picton carver about how to make use of two tree trunks at the Friendly Bay Playground in Oamaru will leave future generations with an artistic legacy lasting a century or more.
Former Waitaki mayor Alan McLay approached carver Pita Lagan while Lagan was participating in the Oamaru Stone Symposium carving competition last year, with the hope that he could make use of two macrocarpa stumps at the playground, and since then the carvings have been a constant source of wonder for both visitors and locals.
He began carving the first trunk in October, and hoped to have the second one finished in about a month, Lagan said.
''I wanted something the kids could understand, so Alan and I discussed it, and we thought it was a good idea.
''We tried to get the native birds on the first tree, and native lizards. The second one has a sea theme, with the seals, penguins and maybe a few dolphins from around the New Zealand coast.''
Although he used just one electric tool to carve the wood, macrocarpa was easy to work with, Lagan said.
''I have been carving those trees for a while. It's an amazing tree and an amazing wood to work with, a very forgiving timber, and it lasts such a long time.''
Once finished, the carvings would be treated with a preservative which should ensure they remained for ''100 years at least''.
''The best thing about it is that the kids enjoy it; they know exactly what it is about.
''I'm happy when they start photographing it and there's 30 or 40 people there.''
The sprightly 70-year-old has been carving for 55 years, but he could still ''scoot up the trees'' easily, and he intended to carry on doing so, he said.
''There is no stopping - in the Maori language there is no word for retirement. Retirement means you want to die, so you keep going until you can't go anymore.''
Originally, the first carving was funded by a venture put forward by the Waitaki Rotary Club and Mr McLay, which asked for donations from the public to stamp their names on to a paved pathway at the playground.
Mr McLay said while the project was able to pay $7500 to have the first tree carved, remaining funds would only partially fund the second carving.
Public feedback on Lagan's carvings had been ''very positive''.
''He is a very talented guy.''
If more donors could be found, a third carving was also possible, Mr McLay said.
''My intention was for the next fundraising to coincide with the next Stone Symposium, which is two years away, but obviously if I could get a third one carved now I would love to.''
