A group of arts students were yesterday putting some of the finishing touches to a series of works which will highlight the continuing development of Napier's Pukemokimoki Marae in its 10th anniversary celebrations this week.
The students of Te Wananga o Aotearoa, under the watch of tutor Chris Bryant, who was involved in the artwork incorporated in the marae when it opened in 2007, have been working mainly at weekends to complete the murals in time for the blessing which opens the three-day commemoration on Friday.
Mr Bryant said the work included being taken on a "hikoi" by historian Pat Parsons to explain the heritage and local knowledge to be used in the art that will be placed in the wharenui of the marae off Riverbend Rd, on the southern outskirts of Napier.
Anniversary celebrations co-ordinator Maureen Mua said: "We are an involving marae."
"We are also the busiest," she said, highlighting a calendar of near-daily bookings.
While only a decade old, the marae has a long history, dating back to interest in building a marae in the Maraenui area following the urbanisation of the 1950s and 1960s, and fundraising groups were initiated, with hopes of building in the suburb or in the wide Napier area, including near the Ahuriri Estuary.