From eyesore to taonga a new mural for Katikati
A project focused on delivering meaningful art for the Katikati community has transformed a once overlooked roadside substation on SH2, Katikati, into a vibrant community asset.
Travellers and the people of the Katikati community now have a striking mural to welcome them to the area, says Powerco General Manager Customer Stuart Dickson.
“This is more than just a mural – it’s a taonga that incorporates the stories of Tuapiro Marae and its people through beautiful symbolism and imagery of the natural landscape,” he says.
The mural was unveiled at a dawn blessing on 26 September with representatives from Tuapiro, Te Rereatukahia and Otawhiwhi hapū and Powerco present.
Developed in partnership with tangata whenua at Tuapiro Marae, the mural is painted by artist Sarah Kolver, working in collaboration with Marino Magee (te whānau a Tauwhao).
The mural runs across two walls of the substation and incorporates the story of the people of the whenua and references the kōwhaiwhai that lines the wharenui of the marae, weaved into imagery of a sunrise and a kōtare on one wall, and a sunset and a kereru on the other wall.
“A long-standing goal of ours has been to collaborate with mana whenua to share their stories and taonga in this way and we’re thrilled with the outcome,” says Stuart Dickson.
“Travellers and people in the rohe truly have a treasure to enjoy,” he adds.
This art on asset project is one of many around Powerco’s footprint, where the company collaborates with artists throughout the communities it operates to paint murals on some of its electricity and gas assets.
“Our art on assets programme is one way we mitigate the impact our assets have on the environment,” says Stuart Dickson.
The mural is also designed to help prevent graffiti at this site.
Travellers and the people of the Katikati community now have a striking mural to welcome them to the area, says Powerco General Manager Customer Stuart Dickson.
“This is more than just a mural – it’s a taonga that incorporates the stories of Tuapiro Marae and its people through beautiful symbolism and imagery of the natural landscape,” he says.
The mural was unveiled at a dawn blessing on 26 September with representatives from Tuapiro, Te Rereatukahia and Otawhiwhi hapū and Powerco present.
Developed in partnership with tangata whenua at Tuapiro Marae, the mural is painted by artist Sarah Kolver, working in collaboration with Marino Magee (te whānau a Tauwhao).
The mural runs across two walls of the substation and incorporates the story of the people of the whenua and references the kōwhaiwhai that lines the wharenui of the marae, weaved into imagery of a sunrise and a kōtare on one wall, and a sunset and a kereru on the other wall.
“A long-standing goal of ours has been to collaborate with mana whenua to share their stories and taonga in this way and we’re thrilled with the outcome,” says Stuart Dickson.
“Travellers and people in the rohe truly have a treasure to enjoy,” he adds.
This art on asset project is one of many around Powerco’s footprint, where the company collaborates with artists throughout the communities it operates to paint murals on some of its electricity and gas assets.
“Our art on assets programme is one way we mitigate the impact our assets have on the environment,” says Stuart Dickson.
The mural is also designed to help prevent graffiti at this site.
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