High standard of entries in Manuaute St Beautification Project

The quality of entries in Ruapehu Youth Council’s Manuaute St replica storefront display contest has been so good that seven winners were chosen instead of the originally planned six.

As part of getting Taumarunui to start thinking about township revitalization the Youth Council challenged residents to think about ideas for fake/replica store frontages with the winner pocketing $1,500 cash with $500 going to a local charity or community organization of their choice.

Ruapehu District Council (RDC) Youth Liaison Officer Samantha Arthur-Curtis said that the Youth Council was amazed at the standard of the entries and really struggled with which ones to select to build.

“The standard was so good that we ended up with a tie for sixth place and now need to find another empty shop window for the display,” said Ms. Arthur-Curtis.

“The remaining four unsuccessful entries were unlucky to have missed out on selection so we are also looking at how we can get them displayed in other areas around Taumarunui.”

“The top seven entries and their themes were; REAP - psychedelic 60s record store, Historical Society – Photographic studio, Lanusi sisters - “a stitch in time” retro dressmakers, Performing Arts – theatre costume shop, Kathryn Davis Victorian style curiosity shop, Taumarunui High School Aussie Touring Team – a vintage girl’s bedroom and Lois Mills & Co. – Wild West Frontier.”

“All seven will now receive $400 with which to bring their display idea to life.”
“Construction starts next Friday 21 October and the teams have five weeks to build their display with ‘tools down’ on Sunday 27 November.”

Ms. Arthur-Curtis said that to keep things interesting over the build phase the youth councillors will be video logging the construction in a The Block NZ format.

“The finished displays will be judged by a panel made up of the Youth Council, Mayor Don Cameron, Deputy Mayor Marion Gillard and the building owners,” she said.

“The winner will be announced at the Taumarunui Christmas Parade on Saturday 10 December.”

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