Masterton Icons
Identifying Masterton
To inspire the community and guide visitors
The Pole Concept
Masterton is a town full of attractions and features which the community can be proud of and visitors often don’t discover.
The Masterton Pole system of iconic signage creates celebratory gateways and wayfinding markers that help guide and inspire journeys through the town. These community produced poles are low-cost and memorable, constructed of materials relevant to the local heritage and industries.
The inspiration of this concept comes from the abstract rustic artwork of artist Para Matchett but will involve the local community in the development of the symbolism and construction of the poles.
Representing the Community.
The Gateway and Wayfinding poles will represent and celebrate what Masterton means to the local community, so we are seeking design submissions for the symbols from the locals.
This will help achieve participation and ownership of the poles and help kick-start development of the poles.
Aesthetic Features
• Relate well and will complement existing street elements such as power poles, flag poles, banner systems and the green steel mesh used for lighting and plant frames in Queen St
• Relate to important physical features in Maori architecture – the pou of a wharenui carrying the sacred, life-giving force of Papatuanuku; the carved representation of ancestors; the sense of protection and community conveyed by the palisades around a village
• Can be used individually to make a single bold statement, or in groups to signify collective strength, a family or gathering
• Show the many features of this place/ community – not just one or two – promotes pride for locals and surprises visitors.
• Can be used in sequence to represent or celebrate a journey – either historic or in the here and now
• Bring the country to town, underscoring the close relationship between rural and urban life-styles within the Masterton District
• Provide the opportunity to represent all the varied aspects of Masterton in an equal and inclusive way
• Provide opportunities for community contribution to the development of the visual elements.
Practical Features
• Low cost, durable and easy to source locally
• the timber pole represents the Masterton-based forestry industry
• the solid materials including the rusted steel will be very durable.
• the relevant rustic appearance will actually improve with age
• can be configured and maintained to resist vandalism and graffiti
• can be easily obtained in various sizes to suit the proposed heirachy of scale.
• has a physical and symbolic relevance to Maori and international cultural wayfinding systems
• has the potential to be adopted throughout the town as the community develops and takes ownership the concept – repeating it throughout the town.
• Masterton may become nationally recognised by a more relevant visual identity
