Flaxmere station now a riot of colour

Community Constable Greg Andrew and kaumatua Tom Mulligan with two of the murals that have brightened up "blank" walls at the station. Photo / Paul Taylor

The previously "blank" walls of the Flaxmere Community Police Station are now ablaze with creativity and colour.

After months of planning and creation, dozens of individual pictures put together by students at nine schools across the district were slotted into place on Monday afternoon to create several large murals which face Bristol Cres and Swansea Rd.

Flaxmere community constable Greg Andrew, who drove the plan, was delighted to see the finished product as he hosted an official opening and blessing ceremony yesterday.

"It's just fantastic - when we were putting them up, people were going past giving us a toot and a thumbs up."

He launched the mural plan in March and set about getting support from the schools, including students from Flaxmere.

The Hastings District Council along with BBI Wood Products and Tumu ITM were also approached and they were happy to be involved.

The children and young people involved, inspired by their teachers, came up with the designs and made them real with brushes and paints.

Flaxmere Primary, Kimiora, Bridge Pa, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Ngati Kahungunu Ki Heretaunga, Peterhead, Irongate, Flaxmere College, Twyford and Omahu schools all got stuck in.

"It is all about linking in with the community," Mr Andrew said.

"There is a lot of pride there for the children and that's great to see - they are pretty excited at seeing it go up."

At yesterday's unveiling, kaumatua Tom Mulligan blessed the murals and the 40 to 50 youngsters on hand were treated to a barbecue snack.