Rawene's arts-driven revival

Volunteer and deputy curator at No. 1 Parnell gallery, Philip England. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

A Renaissance is underway in the South Hokianga town of Rawene with crumbling heritage buildings restored, art galleries springing up on almost every corner and a palpable buzz on the streets.

Key to the town's turnaround has been the restoration of the 1929 Ferry House, which dominates the centre of Rawene, by new owners from Auckland.

Linda Blincko and Lynn Lawton, who own Depot Artspace in Devonport, spent $200,000 turning the dilapidated Category II historic building into a gallery simply called No 1, after its address on Parnell St.

Much of its warren-like interior has been stripped out to create a large, light space but historic features such as the polished timber floor have been retained. The gallery opened late last year and is now onto its third exhibition.

Volunteer Philip England said the building was "empty and going backwards" before the new owners took it on.

"It's been great, it's lifted the town economically and socially."

The gallery had given people an outlet for their creativity as well as a chance to socialise through music nights, poetry readings, volunteering or simply dropping in to chat.

"It's given me a lift. My art's being sold, it's giving me a return on my study and effort, and I've gone from being a recluse at home to volunteering here and coming to social events - and I'm just one of many."

Ms Blincko said she and her partner got to know the Hokianga through working with Village Arts in Kohukohu, starting with a Ralph Hotere exhibition in 2010.

"As we came up we noticed this building, the old Andrewes Store, which must have been the hub of the community, falling into disrepair until it looked like it was within a whisker of demolition."

"From the Depot we know how art can invigorate a community and we know how creative the Hokianga is. We wanted to make a difference so we decided to take the plunge."

Rawene's Four Square boasts a new mural inspired by Hokianga history. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

The ten-month restoration was carried out by a meticulous builder "who grasped exactly what we wanted to achieve", she said.

The couple came up as often as they could and enjoyed seeing the town change.
"We've been delighted to see how busy everyone is, not just No 1."

Directly across the road from No 1 another Auckland couple has bought the brightly painted, wedge-shaped building at 3 Parnell St, which also houses an art gallery. It is currently leased to Blackspace, a pop-up gallery specialising in Maori artists from the Hokianga and curated by Heiwari Johnson.

A few steps away, in a shop above the water also owned by Ms Blincko and Mr Lawton, artist Jill Reilly has relocated her Kaikohe art, gift and vintage clothing store from Kaikohe.
Interest had been "mind-blowing" with Rawene now suffering parking problems some days.

"There's just so much for people to see in one small area," Ms Reilly said.

Ironically the town's arts resurgence comes shortly after NorthTec axed its Rawene-based applied arts courses which helped fuel the creativity boom. Hokianga residents now have to travel to Kerikeri for formal arts training.

The Boatshed Cafe in Rawene, as seen from the newly opened Blackspace gallery on Parnell St. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

Craig Joiner, the owner of Boatshed Cafe, one of the town's longest surviving businesses, said the revival began last year but "really started to flower" this summer.

Rawene was also buzzing in 2008 before the economic downturn "knocked the guts out of the town". Then he watched, worried, as buildings emptied and fell into disrepair.

Mr Joiner put the transformation down to the economy recovering at last, and Aucklanders falling in love with the town and feeling confident enough to invest in it.

"We're just so happy to see the town spring back into life like this," he said.

* No 1's first show, No Drill, No Spill, focussed on offshore oil exploration; the second, Flag It, explored alternative flag designs; and the current exhibition, Awhi (Embrace), brings together work by artists from North and South Hokianga and Auckland.