By Emily Norman
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Painting a playground fence rainbow should be quite a straightforward project, but the idea has ruffled a few feathers in Eketahuna.
A complaint was made against the Our Town Eketahuna project, which would see the town playground’s fence pickets painted an array of colours, slamming the concept as an inappropriate, as it would be representing the homosexual community.
Our Town spokesperson Denise Clifton said she was “genuinely surprised at the ruckus the project has caused”.
The committee received sponsorship from Resene Paints to carry out the revamp, and already has a team of volunteers ready to paint and prep the aged white pickets, bringing some colour to the town.
“For crying out loud, it’s a children’s playground,” Ms Clifton said.
“We thought bright and vibrant would be great. It’s good for the kids. It’s a playground, you know.
“It should be colourful.
“But we’ve had feedback from some people saying that they don’t like the idea of it because it’s representing the homosexual community, which is actually against the human rights.
“The rainbow is a symbol of promise, hope, and unity, you know…it’s not supposed to be tearing people apart but it seems to have done that.”
Community consultation is underway and some options that have been put forward include painting each picket a different colour or painting blocks of colours across several pickets.
Other complaints have also been made against the project saying that it does not fit in with the town’s new “rustic” theme.
But these naysayers aren’t raining on the Our Town Committee’s parade, with more than 70 signatures of support gathered from children and adults in the community.
“You can’t keep good people down, we’ll just keep going,” Ms Clifton said.
“I actually spoke to a lot of people who live in the street, who walk the town, I asked children, I asked visitors, I asked so many people and the general feedback was that it would be well-supported, so there you go.
“Who would have thought it would cause such a stir? It’s absolute madness.
“As a committee, we still want to get this project done and it would be a shame to say to Resene that we can’t do it because of whatever reason.”
Another hurdle for the project according to Ms Clifton is new health and safety policies which requires the Our Town Committee to “come up with some sort of health and safety policy for volunteers to paint a fence”.
Community consultation for the project closes on August 11.
“Hopefully after the 11th, we’ll still have a lot of people who are supportive and all for it.
“And hopefully we’ll be able to find a safe working plan for our volunteers so we can go ahead with this.”
Rainbow fence causes ‘ruckus’
13 COMMENTS
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If the playground in Levin can have a rainbow fence then they should have a rainbow fence in the freaking Wairarapa
Very shallow. Kids love rainbows it makes them smile and teaches them colours . I can’t believe how shallow people can be . you are taking something that our kids would love away from them. They deserve a happy place to go and play
What is NZ comeing Too! I Now live here ?? And Wonder if You will ever See things as they are, its a BLOODY fence enjoy bright colours dont be small minded and complicated,GROW UP!
Let the kids decide what they want as colours. If it’s coloured a rainbow then let it.
Oh. My. God.
ITS A CHILDRENS PLAYGROUND!! How bloody ridiculous! See it for what it is – a rainbow! Bright, happy, inviting colours! Nothing more, nothing less. Grow up.
Hopefully this actually goes ahead. Have loved this idea from the start.
Why is the council pandering to homophobic rednecks?
Had to happen in Eketahuna. As if the town doesn’t have bigger issues ! Name and shame the naysayers and the town can then move forward in to the year 2016 instead of 1816
Silly stuff. Of course it should be painted in happy kid colours, what better than a rainbow? Ooooo, even better, a glittery rainbow! Bring on the gaiety, the world could sure use a bit of that every now and then 🙂
What a bunch of idiots. I am sure when kids go to play in the playground they will not see the fence and think about Gay’ness! The colours are inviting and they can be a learning thing too, kids can learn the colours. Oh Man, some people are just kill-joys and out to rain on any good thing. I think a rainbow coloured fence would be much nicer to look at than a plain white one! Take a look at kids toys… bright rainbow colours are more encouraging and promote learning!
Go for it Denise Clifton . Don’t let narrow minded people stand in your way.
It’s a damn kids playground for goodness sakes! If you think it represents anything else you are clueless! Grow up wairarapa, seriously! Such a ludicrous thought for people to think it’s reps the LGBTQ community. They thought the bright colours would bring a little light and brightness into an already dull town. Gosh damn!!
It’s is such a pity because the rainbow represents Gods promise not to flood the earth again