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A little piano that has been in the same family for more than 60 years has a new life on the streets of Orewa town centre.
Business association Destination Orewa Beach (DOB) operations manager Hellen Wilkins has been interested acquiring in a street piano for several years, so when the Petite English Eavestaff Piano was offered “free to a good home” she snapped it up.
The Walker family of Stanmore Bay donated the piano – various members of the family have played it for over 60 years. It was moved often between Christchurch and Auckland by the Walkers but is no longer needed as there are currently no piano players in the family.
Given a colourful makeover by volunteer artists from Estuary Arts Centre, it was hoped that the piano would be placed on Hibiscus Coast Highway, near House of Travel and Kuzina Café, at the end of September. It will remain there seven days a week over summer, but may pop up at other locations around the town from time to time and also be around during the winter months.
Hellen says that although DOB will pay for experienced players to tickle the ivories occasionally, the key philosophy is to let the community and visitors play.
DOB will maintain the piano, including keeping it tuned.
