Tauranga Primary School unveils new mural by Timo Rannali

Georgia Flowers, 10, Izaiah Rae, 10, Tyresse Edwards, 11, and Marika Ririnui, 11, with the mural. Photo / Zoe Hunter

There were tears and cheers as a blue tarpaulin came down to reveal Tauranga Primary School's new mural.

Tauranga Primary School principal Fiona Hawes and local artist Timo Rannali unveiled the mural on the side of the school's new senior hub classroom block yesterday. Emotions ran high as the pupils sang their school waiata and a group of boys performed a haka to show their appreciation before the unveiling of the mural.

Hawes said students and staff had worked alongside Rannali for the past seven weeks and had learned many new skills to be able to produce the final artwork.

"It is a taonga, a gift to our school and community of Timo's time and expertise for everybody to enjoy," she said.

"It is our story, our learning model ... it is our children, our families and everything important to us at Tauranga Primary School."

Rannali said he was a teacher before his 19-year career as an artist. His time as a teacher continued to influence his artwork.

"It is nice to come back and work alongside the kids again."