New Exhibition - Estuary Arts
"Boats and Birds" Sculpture by Michael Irwin
24 September to 20 October 2019
Michael has always had a love of boats and birds from his earliest memories. He loves the form and shape of both and how they can dip and soar through their respective environments. He has spent many hours from an early age tramping, climbing, sailing and swimming where he learnt to love and enjoy the unique coastal and mountain environments. Nothing is more enjoyable than cutting through the sea, with all sails set, with the birds soaring in the wind; or sitting on a mountain peak or surrounded by huge trees of our bush. Both the bush and the sea have been places of adventure and quietness that have inspired his sculpture. The stone used in the sculptures are Taranaki andesite (hard and grey) and Oamaru stone (white).
Michael has been a teacher and educator of art for over 50 years. He has organised whole school art events and assisted children and teachers to create their own special art works. He specialised in art at Hamilton Teachers’ College where he first began sculpturing.
The last 20 years of his employment was as a Senior Lecturer at Massey University, where he was a programme coordinator for teacher training and lectured in the Arts and how to teach and develop Creativity with children. He is a member of the Te Kupenga Stone Sculpture Society in New Plymouth, where he regular travels to carve stone. He has taught night classes in pottery and painting, and is a tutor at Estuary Arts Centre.
Poll: Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?
Help settle the great kiwi debate ... cheese on top, or folded inside?
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76.3% Inside!
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23.7% On top!
💡 A Little Brain Buzz for You⚡
I have two faces, but show you only one.
I once had guests, but now have none.
I’m rarely bloody and seldom blue.
I’m often promised and sometimes new
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Poll: Are you still heading to your local for your caffeine fix, or has the $$ changed your habits? ☕
Auckland has a thriving cafe culture, but with costs climbing, that culture is under pressure. We’ve seen the headlines about recent closures across the country, and it’s a tough pill to swallow along with a $6+ coffee.
We all want our favourite spots to stay open, but we also have to balance our own budgets ⚖️
We want to know: How are you handling the "coffee math" in 2026? Are you still heading to your local for a chat and a caffeine fix, or has the cost of living changed your habits?
Keen to read more about "coffee math"? The Post has you covered.
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43.8% I avoid spending money on coffee
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38.8% I still indulge at my local cafe
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17.5% Irrelevant - coffee is not for me
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