Kawakawa and its Hundertwasser Toilets (Part 2 of the Holiday series)

First, a word of explanation about the term 'toilets.'  To Americans, toilet means the porcelain or ceramic 'throne' in a restroom or bathroom. Here, the term toilet means restroom. 

The story behind the famous toilets of Kawakawa is this. In the 1970's, Freidensreich Hundertwasser, an Austrian artist, visited New Zealand for an exhibition of his work. He liked the country so much that he decided to make it his second home and bought property near Kawakawa. He chose to leave his mark on his adopted home by designing these toilets. 

Here we are in Kawakawa.

Now, I ask you. How many towns advertise a toilet on a sign outside town?

And how many toilets have their own parking lot?

And where else has 24 hour 'backup' toilets in the parking lot for the celebrity toilets?

Wow. They take pitstops seriously here. 

As we got out of our car, I could tell that Kawakawa was going to be a special town.  If these are the benches on the corner of a block of businesses, how impressive must everything else be here? 

We are walking along main street, just about to pass a 'sofa bench.' 

Ah, here we are.

The Hundertwasser Toilets  

It even has a tree growing up out of the middle of it.  (I wonder if Frederick meant this as an interspecies toilet and dogs are welcome as well?)

 A central pillar being shown by our enthusiastic tour guide. 

Access to the parking lot behind the toilets. How many toilets have their own parking lot?

Come on in. Lets take a look inside. 
 Ladies, I've checked and it's not currently in use. 

Close up of a portion of wall.

Waiting to cross the street and return to our car.  BTW, the architect specified that all plant life disturbed on the ground when the toilets were built, should be replanted on the roof.  

One last look back before we leave. 

(Just a thought. I don't think Frederick forgot about cats when he designed this. I think he meant for you to give them a boost up to the roof. Lots of room up there, although a kitty ladder might have been a nice additional touch.)  

A store in town.

(And maybe this is the feline version of the 'backup' toilets in the parking lot.)

The front of the sofa bench. I like the upholstery but the sofa itself is a bit firm. 

 This is the entrance to some sort of indoor/outdoor art gallery/maze.  Unfortunately, it was closed.  

Almost back at our car now. Someday maybe I'll return to explore this amazing town more fully.  I'll wander around around, take about a million pictures and drink all the coffee I want. I'll know relief is always nearby.    -djf


Freidensreich Hundertwasser