While shoppers have been parking at Excelsa Centre in Golden Sands, Pāpāmoa, they may have come across the work of Steve Oliver.
Some have been admiring the outcome of his efforts, while others may not have noticed what was on display.
Although he may not look like the type to do manicures, Steve has been styling the pōhutukawa trees in the niwaki style for four years, and they are proudly lined up- along the car park of the shopping centre.
Niwaki is a Japanese horticulture art form.
It has very similar characteristics to the bonsai style, although bonsai trees are usually found in a pot, while niwaki trees are found in soil.
The result of Steve's work creates not only a beautiful display, but a unique one, as the native New Zealand trees are not typically shaped in the Japanese style.
Steve, who works as a landscaper and tree specialist at Bluehaven Group, has been crafting this presentation out of his love for the look.
'I love the appearance of niwaki trees. The style is naturalistic and deliberately asymmetrical, yet still balanced,” says Steve.
'There's beauty in the asymmetry. When they are finished, they look like a much larger tree than they really are.”
Although he had been studying bonsai trees for 10 years, Steve says he was inspired by the niwaki style while travelling in Japan.
'After going to a Japanese island named Okinawa in 2016, I saw they had niwaki style trees on display in the streets and in their gardens. I loved the look of them and thought I should try it.”
'When I returned home I taught myself how to niwaki the trees utilising the skills I had learned from studying bonsai over the years.”
Steve says that the niwaki trees take some time to maintain.
'I have to maintain them about three to four times a year.
'It takes about one hour to one-hour-and-a-half each time. Every 18 months or so I have to give them a big trim so they maintain their shape.”
Steve's work has been admired by shoppers with a keen eye who park their cars at Excelsa Centre.
'He trims every little branch and every little leaf,” says Excelsa shopper Deborah Brunsdon.
3 comments
Positive story
Posted on 09-04-2022 14:39 | By Kancho
Makes a nice change. Civic pride is something special these days. Used to be common but mostly the older generation. I am struck by the volunteer group that I work with how shall we say seniors make up the bulk of volunteering. When this generation retires there may be a lot less done in the community. Do hope the publicity of his lovely trees and work only finds good thoughts
@Kancho
Posted on 09-04-2022 17:52 | By Informed
I think you would be surprised by the level of volunteering in other generations. But maybe the difference is that rather than helping out down the bowls club, other generations are helping the homeless, working with schools, supporting the disabled and generally trying to help those that need a leg up.
Informed ?
Posted on 10-04-2022 10:17 | By Kancho
My experience organisations of like the cancer society although so many more who for instance have drivers to get people to medical appointments, deliver meals etc or other groups that work in hospitals to assist patients and staff are largely in my experience older people and until covid regularly at the hospital like me. I considered I was getting to old to get to the hospital and help but found people older than me working there for years. There are many such groups for various needs there are multiple support groups working and giving a leg up as you put it. Time will tell if today's generation will be as altruistic step up to replace thousands of senior volunteers. Pity you need to make snide remarks
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