The Redwoods new toilet block and art installation opening next week

ROTORUA 02.08.13: The Redwoods’ new public toilet facilities with art installations featuring endangered native bird species are being unveiled to the public next week in Whakarewarewa Forest.

Rotorua District Council (RDC) is hosting the official opening ceremony for the $390,000 project on Tuesday (6 August) at the Redwoods Visitor Centre. The corten steel toilet ‘shrouds’ were designed by Waiariki Institute of Technology art tutor Kereama Taepa following calls for submissions by the council last year.

RDC Redwoods Forest & Visitor Centre manager Julianne Wilkinson said one of the key components making The Redwoods toilets unique, and a talking point and attraction in their own right, was the themed artwork wrapped around each toilet cubicle.

She said it added an important environmental education element to what is at the same time a creative artwork and a practical community and visitor facility.

“The upgrade of the toilets at the visitor centre was long overdue, especially with The Redwoods being such an increasingly popular visitor destination.

“We’re really pleased that we’ve finally got much-needed new facilities, but also fantastic art installations wrapped around them. They represent our forest well and have an amazing effect on the overall design.”

The new toilets are located between the Redwoods Visitor Centre and existing toilet block, weaving between the trees via a boardwalk. They consist of six unisex cubicles, including one family-friendly compartment and one for disabled users.

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