Several years ago, Rosemarie Knapman-Smith and her family established the Lisa’s Wish Grove at CUE Haven in memory of Lisa Knapman-Smith who died of breast cancer at a very young age.

Rosemarie is a talented artist and woodworker and over the years she has made many contributions to CUE Haven with carved directional signs and inspirational signs which have been installed along the tracks and roads throughout the property.

Last year Rosemarie created and gifted a beautiful welcome sign for the CUE Haven Hub.

Rosemarie’s project this summer was making some additional inspirational signs for CUE Haven as well as a few beautiful bird artwork blocks that combined both her woodworking and painting skills.

During the recent long King’s Birthday weekend, Rosemarie and her husband Neil drove up from Taranaki, where they now reside, to CUE Haven with the signs and bird blocks.

The bird blocks feature birds currently residing at CUE Haven –

Kotare (kingfisher), Tauhou (silvereye), Kukupa/kereru (NZ Wood Pigeon), Ruru/Morepork (NZ Owl), Tirairaka/Piwakawaka (fantail), Tui, Pukeko (swamp hen), Riroriro (Grey Warbler) and Tikaokao (California Quail)

And, two birds – Kiwi and Korimako (Bellbird), who we hope will soon make CUE Haven their home too.

Rosemarie’s son, Ian, came up and joined us to help install the new signs in the CUE Haven bush.

While Rosemarie and Mahrukh studied the CUE Haven map and determined the best location for each sign and bird block, Thomas and Ian went to work preparing the mounting posts.

We then headed out to install the signs. We hope each sign will give visitors a chance to pause and think. 

The first sign was installed at the entry gate, along with a bird block depicting the friendly and welcoming tirairaka (fantail) and the kotare (kingfisher). The sign reminds visitors that ‘’the horizon is not as far as we can see, but as far as we can imagine.’’

The next sign, at the start of the walking tracks, encourages visitors be bold and use their imagination and creativity.

The block featuring the Pukeko and Tauhou was installed in the wetlands by Lisa’s Wish Grove.

The sign near the viewing platform encourages visitors to take time out to enjoy nature.

We figured that visitors needing a bit of encouragement to make it through the last stretch of the track up to reach the viewing platform would appreciate this poem by Lemn Sissay.

Another sign further down this track encourages people to destress.

The block depicting the Tikaokao and Ruru was installed at the junction of the Puriri and Ruru tracks.

Close by, another poem by Lemn Sissay, encourages people to not get overwhelmed with challenges in life and take things easy, one day at a time.

The saying on the sign below is by farmer and poet Wendell Berry, and we thought it was best sited by Piriti Nui (Big Bridge) where the stream flows.

And further along the stream by Piriti Maharanoa (Remembrance Bridge) where several memorial trees are planted, we installed this contemplative sign.

The sign below was painted by Rosemarie a few years ago – good encouragement to take the less frequented path.

Visitors exploring the less frequented tracks at CUE Haven will be able to admire these beautiful bird blocks.

And hoping some adventurous Northland Brown kiwi will take the cue and also undertake the path less travelled and wander across the road from Mataia to take up residence at CUE Haven.

A big thank you to Ian for his help installing the signs and thank you Neil for assembling the signs and bringing them up from Taranaki.

And our heartfelt thanks to Rosemarie not only for all her hard work but also for her vision, and creativity and gifting her art to CUE Haven.

We sincerely value our friendship with Rosemarie and the Knapman-Smith family and look forward to their continuing visits in the coming years.

Thank You!! Thank You!!