Rain reveals poetic refrain in frame

The newly opened Mollett Street block of Christchurch’s South Frame has more than meets the eye.

The Mollett St section of the South Frame  was officially opened on Monday.

Its laneways and people-friendly spaces are home to New Zealand’s first Raining Poetry installation – a poem written in invisible spray that only reveals itself when the area is wet.

The poem, A Promise, was written by Burnside High School student Samantha Jory-Smart and references the traditional Maori proverb behind Matai Common – the name given to the gathering space.

Matai Common is connected to St Asaph and Tuam streets by the new Te Puhoe and Sugarloaf lanes.

“With its five-metre high green screens, plantings and seatings, this area of the South Frame will become an inner city oasis,’’ says the Minister Supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration Nicky Wagner.

“When completed the South Frame will be an exciting and dynamic area spanning seven city blocks – its pavements and laneways bustling with markets, events, entertainment and dining.’’

A prominent feature of the South Frame is the Greenway – an east to west pedestrian and cycling corridor.

There is still a small amount of land the Crown needs to acquire to complete the South Frame but it hopes to have construction completed in 2019.