Published Monday, 16 June 2025
A special moment unfolded at Te Whare Whakatika as eleven relatives of the late Frank Hardwicke’s family gathered to see the new mural where he is proudly featured.
Facilities Manager, Paul Else, initiated the project with the maintenance team that Leon White Design brought to life. Maintenance Manager, Bevan Clark, played a key role in editing and refining the designs, ensuring they resonated with the team’s vision.
The feature photograph is of Frank Hardwicke, a great splicer of big wire rope who was well respected for his hard work. He has been described as a ‘larger-than-life’ character. The photograph holds special significance for family members who work at the port, and colleagues could spot the resemblance.
A family group of relations visited Te Whare Whakatika on Saturday, 3 May, some from as far as Tauranga, to see the wall art.
Security team member Gaye Sincock, Frank’s niece says the mural was exactly how she remembered him.
“It felt so life-like,” she said.
“His children were over the moon to see it,” Gaye said.
The family learned about Frank’s appearance on the mural from Gaye’s brother, Stephen Tyro, an electrician on the ground floor after someone asked him if he had seen the mural.
The family have a strong connection to the port. Gaye’s three uncles worked for Lyttelton Harbour Board, plus two other uncles were watersides.
Other family members visiting, and who had worked at the port, observed the many changes which have occured particularly at the workshop. They said the special viewing of the mural was a privilege.
The family shared a funny story about how he must have told a porky story about his age to be old enough for his Lifeboatman certificate.
Frank worked on the wharf during the 1951 strikes and was on the Harbour Board.
The mural now stands as a tribute to not only Frank’s legacy, but to the generations of Port whānau who continue to shape LPC’s story.