New Zealand Odyssey: Five Public Buildings in Opotiki, Bay of Plenty.

'New Zealand Odyssey', published in 1989 by Heinemann, was authored by me, Don Donovan (who did the text and illustrations) and Euan Sarginson, who did the photography and design. In this series of blog posts, I will publish some of my drawings.

I found five old buildings in the eastern Bay of Plenty town of Opotiki that took my eye. I related them all as being 'halls' of one type or another. I called them : 'Masonic', 'Artistic', 'Chivalric', 'Bacchic' and 'Methodistic'. In turn they were buildings belonging to the Freemasons, the Opotiki Art Society, the Scout Hall, the handsome Opotiki Hotel and the Methodists' chapel.

They are all similar to civic halls found all over country New Zealand. Sturdy, worthy and full of local pride.

© DON DONOVAN

donovan@ihug.co.nz