My Account
There has been a lot of nostalgia for days of fun at Waiwera hot pools, following the demolition of the facility, which began last month (HM August 21).
Someone with a closer connection to the pools than many is Simon Ware of Red Beach, whose grandfather, William (Bill) George Ware, made the animals, including elephants and seals, that were part of the water features.
That was before Simon was born, and his grandfather is now long gone, but Simon says it would be nice to save at least something of his past before it’s too late.
“The family still has some gnomes he made. I believe he made frogs, seals, elephants, lions and turtles for Waiwera, at his shop in Onehunga. Sadly, the last time we managed to go before the closure, the lions were dumped in gardens and the seals and elephants were the only ones still working, but in poor condition.”
Asked what he would like to see happen to the remaining pieces, Simon says that is a hard one.
“I would love to take at least one of each, as they are never going to be able to be replaced and he made these himself,” he says. “The others may be good to keep within the Ōrewa/Waiwera area somewhere where they could not be damaged – such as a community centre maybe. They will always be a great part of history and talking point.”
As reported in the last edition of Hibiscus Matters, the Waiwera Residents Association has been told the elephants and a seal will be saved from demolition and may be part of any future development or, if not, given to the community.
