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ABOUT JACQUIE:
Jacquie Ellis, born in Auckland, resides in the
beautiful Karangahake Gorge. The area holds a
rich history and is a source of endless subjects to
capture on canvas. She is particularly noted for
the realistic depictions of nature – revealing the
delicate effects and moods of light and shade – in
her breathtaking landscapes and seascapes.
Jacquie travels throughout NZ in search of
fresh subject material, and one of her favourite
Coromandel locations is Otama Beach, over the Blackjack Hill from
Kuaotunu. “We spent many long hot summers there and also walked the
beaches in the winter collecting treasures,” she shares. ”This area has
become the subject of many beautiful paintings.” She is also known for her
endearing pet portraits and dreamy spray paint impressions.
Jacquie was a featured artist in the pop-up
gallery in this season’s Winter Art Wander in and
around Paeroa. She also enjoys teaching painting
workshops and is happy to take commissions.
Aside from private collections throughout NZ,
Jacquie’s work is represented in many overseas
countries including Japan, England and the US.
Of interest to other artists is a service Jacquie now offers – fine printing of
paintings and photographs on canvas. “These canvas prints are just perfect
for limited edition artworks. A range of sizes are available and our printer
combines excellent colour accuracy and matching to the original artwork.
Stretching the canvas over a frame creates a ready-to-hang masterpiece.”
See more of Jacquie’s work online at Check
out her art canvas printing services at visit
How the Ohinemuri River got its name
The original name of the river flowing through the
Karangahake Gorge is Te Waitangi-o-Hinemuri: literally
‘the weeping water of Hinemuri’.
In one Maori legend, the river and floodplain were
formed by the tears of Hinemuri. She was the
youngest daughter of the Hauraki chief who turned
away her many suitors because her older sisters
remained unwed...until finally the suitors fell away and she was left alone and
disconsolate. Her copious tears formed the river and floodplain.
Or, maybe it is this version of another Maori legend said to have happened at
Turner’s Hill on the Paeroa side of Mackaytown during the Maori Wars. At this
Maori hill encampment was a tunnel that led to the river where a chief kept
his pet dragon. When an invasion came, the tribe fled, leaving behind a sad
girl and the dragon, who then took care of her. The river was given the name
Ohinemuri, meaning ‘the girl left behind’ .
The carving of Ohinemuri above is by Athol McKinnon who presented it to the
Paeroa Historical Society.
Cheers to other contributors...
Photographer Alan Duff specializes in shooting real estate interiors and
aerials. In this issue, he ‘went to the birds’ with photos of the Karaka Bird Hide
and the Shortland Wharf areas in Thames. See his work at
Many of the photos and evocative descriptions of the Hauraki Rail Trail in the
Karangahake Gorge were shot by Jodie Tunnicliffe. See the series of her two
trips to the Gorge on her bike travel blog,
Dick Wilson wrote about the area’s commercial fishing culture and efforts to
save our seabirds. He was instrumental in designing and raising funds for the
award-winning exhibit in the Mercury Bay Museum, logging in up to 4,000
volunteer hours with fellow trustee Lou Sikking – all on a shoestring budget.
Milly’s on Main 078647464
236 Main Road in Tairua
KAYLA 078689063
522 Pollen Street in Thames
Cover Art: Springtime on the Ohinemuri
by Jacquie Ellis
Order your signed copy now and receive a pre-
publication price of only $45 (NZ postage paid)
– a $20 savings. Order from Charlotte at info@
or 021 158 2895.
A book launch will be held at Mosaic Gallery in
Whitianga. Check Charlotte’s FB page for details.