Tirau is a small New Zealand town. It’s pronounced Tee-rau
1. Tirau, originally referred to a hill three miles southwest of the village, is covered with cabbage trees where Maori trapped the keruru (wood pigeon). It was first settled by the Ngati Raukawa, although various tribes won the area in battle before Europeans purchased the surrounding district in 1868.
2. Tirau has always been a rest stop for travellers with the Oxford Royal Hotel operating as a staging post between Rotorua, Cambridge, Lichfield and later Taupo.
3. The benefits of its central location continue today. In fact Kate and Lane from PLAYING TO WIN stopped here for a break during their drive to Taupo. These days the town is unique for its corrugated iron sculptures.
4. A shop disguised as a sheep.
5. A dog.
6. Poppies
7. A book shop.
8. The toy shop.
9. Me standing outside the tourist center.
10. Gourmet Food shop.
11. A garage.
12. A dairy.
13. A gift shop with a pukeko (bird).
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That is fantastic!
by Keziah Hill November 22nd, 2007 at 2:50 amI have never heard of this town before. I LOVE those sculptures!
by Kate Willoughby November 22nd, 2007 at 6:13 amI think I’ll catch a flight tonight! Sounds lovely.
by tara November 22nd, 2007 at 7:29 amLOl, that’s a bit crazy, but a bit crazy is more fun than normal.
by Gabriele November 22nd, 2007 at 8:43 amThose are the coolest shops! I’ll have to go there one day. New Zealand is definitley on my list. Thanks for sharing Shelley!!
by Amy Ruttan November 22nd, 2007 at 10:43 amWhat a great looking place!
by Gina November 22nd, 2007 at 12:32 pmIt was fun visiting a few weekends ago. I wondered how many on-job injuries the corrugated iron sculptures would receive. It’s wicked sharp stuff!
by Shelley Munro November 22nd, 2007 at 12:37 pmWhat a kewl place. Great pics!
by Adelle Laudan November 22nd, 2007 at 12:52 pmHappy T13!
Okay that is totally cool!! It’s officially going on my list of places I need to visit in my lifetime.
by Christine d'Abo November 22nd, 2007 at 4:14 pmThat looks like such a cool place to visit…
by Savannah Chase November 22nd, 2007 at 5:42 pmIt reminds me a lot of the giant scultures along route 66 here in the US back when people still went driving on family vacations.
Very cool, Shelley!
by Kaige November 22nd, 2007 at 7:01 pmI like the dog one best. What a fantastic idea! I loved going for this virtual visit - thanks.
by julia November 22nd, 2007 at 8:28 pmThose are some cool shops. Very original!
by Heather L November 22nd, 2007 at 8:36 pmI love the photographs you included. Thank you for teaching me about Tirau. Happy TT.
by pussreboots November 22nd, 2007 at 9:00 pmVery cool pics!!! I love your stuff on New Zealand.
by Jennifer McKenzie November 22nd, 2007 at 10:02 pmLove those sculpture - never knew corrugated tin could be so versatile! LOL Great pictures!
by Jenyfer Matthews November 22nd, 2007 at 10:41 pmThe dog is one of my favorites, Julia. I even touched the tongue.
Jenyfer - there are some talented people around with great vision and imagination. I never thought of making sculptures, that’s for sure.
by Shelley Munro November 22nd, 2007 at 10:55 pmThose are some neat photos! Very cool! Thanks for sharing them with us.
BTW, pasta is also good! Hope you enjoyed.
by Haven Rich November 23rd, 2007 at 4:26 amThe dog, the sheep, the poppies - it’s hard to decide which is the best.
Excellent blog, Shelley
by Alice Audrey November 23rd, 2007 at 7:36 amLooks like a fun place to visit.
by Connie January 12th, 2008 at 8:39 pm