I created this float for the Green Party in the 2014 Pride Parade.
Metiria rides a "fabulous chariot" drawn by a tandem bicycle. While she is not high off the ground or moving at great speed, the vehicle needed to be well engineered to carry a VIP through an unpredictable environment. The construction includes a (hidden) rigid wooden frame bolted to create a stable carrying space - it even passed a police check!
This picture shows Russel Norman and Metiria Turei on the pedals, and Kevin Hague in the chariot after the parade was finished.
The project was completed on an extremely tight budget. While the structure of the chariot is aluminium and pine, the skin is painted fabric on corflute plastic. And feathers.
Thanks to the volunteers who helped to bring the project together and walk behind it in the parade. Thanks also to Sean who assisted with construction, and ended up riding the tandem bike with me!
