About
 | Patricia Howitt - Artist, Illustrator, Writer |
About The Artist:
I am a South Pacific artist, illustrator and writer - formerly a lawyer by trade. Forbidden to do art as a career, I exhibited and sold artworks in my free time from a busy, office-bound job with government in Wellington as a solicitor - initially for Customs, later Ministry of Transport and finally ACC. For years my creativity was fuelled by weekend forays into the wild places of central NZ, from Tongariro National Park to North West Nelson. That kept me sane.
In pusuit of the outdoors, I took on the position as CEO of NZ Deerstalkers Association, managing 43 branches nationwide, a National Executive that met 4 times a year, and a substantial Annual Conference. They were the happiest times of my working life. But my father was diagnosed with leukaemia during my first few months with NZDA, so finally to be closer to family I moved back into government as Regional Solicitor for the ACC in Hamilton.
My father died prematurely in 1985 after a 5 year battle with his health. I decided to move north to my parents' rural 10 acre property in Whangaroa, which was very dear to both my mother and myself - another source of inspiration during the 15 years they had owned it.
I still live there, and it still inspires me. It sustained me through looking after my mother sole charge (10 years - Alzheimers) and continues to inspire me daily.
To check out my Whangaroa works, please visit Whangaroa Design.
The Story:
The book "Taketakerau The Millenium Tree" by Marnie Anstis tells the story of a massive Puriri tree (Vitex lucens), from the moment of its germination as a seedling on the forest floor 2000 years ago, to the present day, where it stands protected in the Hikutaia Domain, Opotiki, attracting hundreds of visitors every year.
The Maori people gave this tree the name Taketakerau when they found it growing deep in the virgin forests of Aotearoa NZ hundreds of years ago.
The name means "strong branches to bear many leaves" and the Maori were so in awe of the magnificent tree, that the local iwi made it sacred and for centuries used it as a place to lay the bones of their revered ancestors.
Estimated at over 2000 years old, this tree has seen major events in the history of Aotearoa New Zealand, and the rise and fall of empires on the world stage.
Set against this background of New Zealand history and major world events, the story of this tree makes fascinating reading. Its messages for all of us are unforgettable.
