Te Ngae Road Mural

The main route into Rotorua from the airport and the east, including Whakatane and Tauranga, has a section which has been continually tagged by a variety of people. In previous times, when there was a mural, it was an inviting entrance to the city.

I would like to spend four weeks painting a mural by hand, which will be approximately 13m in length and 5m high, depicting sone of the native flora and fauna seen in Rotorua. 

Descriptively, imagine a tui launching into flight, giant pukeko strutting along, kotare sitting by springs, kiwi foraging in the ferns, and piwakawaka observing passers by, with a backdrop of ferns and other native trees and bushes. 

All of this will create a backdrop fitting of Rotorua and leading the eye into the centre.

This wall is one of a few.  I am keen to start a trend of murals, potentially by diverse artists, styles, and kaupapa along this road.  Imagine how amazing and vibrant the city entrance could be if the rear of the industrial area became an art form!

The wall owners are happy to have a mural painted on it.

Unfortunately, they do not have the funds to make it happen, and this is their rear wall, which does not directly affect them.

The Rotorua Lakes Council is keen to see this project happen because it has a huge visual impact on the drive into the city. They are prepared to provide some funding, however I am responsible for finding the remainder.  The funding will cover quite basic costs of resources and some time but I am prepared to spend enough time there to give this wall some impact and protect it from the environment and further tagging.

The total cost of the project, including tools, materials and time, after sponsorship by Resene, is around $7000.   I am hoping that I do achieve limited funding elsewhere however I will do this work if I can successfully raise the $750 which I am crowdfunding for here, to cover the very basic costs of materials and a minimal amount of time.   

I want to start working on spaces in my city, which need rejuvenating and beautifying. I have been fortunate to land mural work in Australia, following selection in mural fest finals in Tasmania and Victoria however I would like to use my mural skills on walls in Aotearoa and particularly.in Rotorua, where I live. By doing this, I can contribute to the place that I have spent most of my life.

This wall needs help and is seen really clearly as tourists and visitors, as well as half the population of Rotorua, drive past it each day.

I want to show what is amazing about this city, and give people something to smile at, with the character of the native birdlife, which we have, I feel that it will remind people to appreciate nature as well as art, and visit our iconic redwoods and parks, where our birds and trees are.