A scholarship set up in memory of Friedensreich Hundertwasser aims to help a new generation of Northland artists - if only they would apply for it.
The Kawakawa Hundert-wasser Park Charitable Trust, which is developing a park and visitors centre on what used to be paddocks behind the famous Hundertwasser toilets, is offering a $1000 scholarship to further the art studies of a local secondary school student. The scholarship is awarded each year and funded by visitor donations at the iconic Kawakawa toilets.
Kelly Stratford, who represents the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board on the trust, said the Hundertwasser Arts Scholarship was set up to commemorate the Austrian-born artist, who made Kawakawa his home. The toilets he designed in 1999 helped revitalise the once struggling town. He died the following year.
Mrs Stratford had written to high schools in the Mid North seeking candidates for the scholarship but had received no response.
"The Far North has many talented young people who'd welcome a helping hand to pursue their artistic studies at a higher level - so it's a little surprising that no suitable nominations have been received," she said.