Local News from Stuff: Changing Face of West Auckland’s vineyard country
The changing face of West Auckland’s vineyard country February 28 2016 A fast-disappearing rural scene from Lincoln Rd, which has become a retail area and major arterial and may soon have high density housing too. When Auckland’s North Western Motorway began creeping out towards Henderson in the mid-1950s, winemaker Tony Soljan’s father climbed a radio mast overlooking […]
Miss Peach and The Travellin Bones
Miss Peach and The Travellin’ Bones are a Dark Folk/Country band from the foothills of the Ranges. Consisting of Jodie Peach on Vocals and Guitars, Sarah Radford on Double Bass, And Rich Manic on Drums. They recently had their photo shoot at Oratia Folk Museum. Jodie Peach, being a local, had come across this stunning […]
Oratia Originals
As part of the Article in NZ Life and Leisure about local Interior Designer Janice Kumar Ward, there was an aside about some of the great local artisans and food producers that make our community and our rural landscapes special. Click through for photographs and stories about Brian Nola (still growing his own – support […]
Dragicevich Orchard Profiled on Pod Gardening
It’s been out for a while now, but we wanted to share the professional photographs and interview from Pod Gardening – celebrating Mate, and the iconic Dragicevich Shop and Orchard. See the full article on podgardening.co.nz. A taste of the pictures below. To get a taste of the fruit pop down to the store […]
Oratia Quarry Geologically Significant
he recent publication of the Oratia Historical Document encouraged ex-Oratia Resident, Stewart Myles (who now lives further up the hill in Waiatarua) to do some investigation of his own – his old neighbours were the Shaw and Carter Road Quarries. He found this great document describing the quarries and their geological and historical significance […]
Oratia Historical Book
The first part of Auckland Council’s Oratia Heritage and Design project involved documenting Oratia’s historical and cultural heritage. The research was done by Zarah Burnett, a young historian working with Rod Clough & Associates. Lots of interesting reading including the founding families, the dances, the murder, the architecture, the churches, Wild Oratia Post, the […]
Good Sign
Historically the Settlers Hall was hand painted with Oratia Settlers Hall. This traditional hand signwriting craft is showing a renaissance in recent years. A great sign can add to a sense of place, create a gateway, and is a piece of art. Here are some beautiful examples. Hand painted murals in Louisville Kentucky. A true […]
Daffodils in Bloom part of Oratia’s Horticultural Heritage
Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 177, 29 July 1933 In bloom behind the halls masses of daffodils carpet the fields. A beautiful legacy of these old daffodil farms.
Wonderful Oratia Craftswomen
aking craft work in Oratia since 1978, the quality of the work is extraordinary. The Oratia Spinning and Craft Group began in a small town in the foothills of the Waitakere Ranges and it has been going strong ever since. Part of the beauty of groups like this is that you can see a product develop from start to […]
A bit of Oratia history
Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 165, 15 July 1931, Page 15