Mother Teresa graces wall at Whangārei day centre for the city's homeless

One Double Five Community House's Carol Peters alongside the mural of Mother Teresa being painted by Rodrigo Rozas and Lenny Murupaenga. Photo / Michael Cunningham

A large, black and white portrait of Mother Teresa is being painted on to a wall inside Whangārei's day centre for the city's homeless.

The spray painted floor to ceiling art work is being done by local street artist Rodrigo Rozas, with help from fellow Whangārei artist Lenny Murupaenga.

Mother Teresa was known worldwide for helping the hungry, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, and those suffering from leprosy.

Rozas said Mother Teresa's compassion and willingness to help people made her a good fit for the day centre. He plans to add a quote of hers to the wall.

Rozas considered doing a portrait of Northlander Dame Whina Cooper, but decided he wanted his mural to be more universal.

Rozas said he was really happy to be involved in a project like this.

"It's a pretty strong image with her eyes. It has a lot of details, like her wrinkles."

One Double Five Community House's Carol Peters is one of those working to get the centre running in the old Army Hall, on the corner of Roberts and Walton Sts, and said the room where the portrait is being painted will be multi-purpose.

"It's going to a music room, with computers and a library. This adds to it."

Peters said the mural connects with the day centre's name Open Arms, and the loving way Carrie Kake looks after everyone.

Open Arms is the dream of Kake, a Whangārei woman who has been taking in and helping homeless people for decades.

Artists Jenny Hill and Shona Firman are painting an animal setting on the walls of the children's room and there are plans for Murupaenga to paint a third mural in the building.

Peters said there is still various types of work to be done in the building but they are hoping to launch next month.

She said an estimated $31,000 worth of labour and work had been donated, alongside nearly $18,000 of items such as benches, microwaves and chairs.