Mural depicting Mt Ngongotaha legend brightens up shopping strip

Western Heights residents will no longer have to look at a drab old wall when visiting the Pleasant Heights shopping strip, with a new mural filling the space.

The mural, organised by the Keep Rotorua Beautiful committee, was recently completed at the strip of shops on Thomas Crescent.

Committee spokeswoman Jocelyn Greene said the mural was organised as part of the committee's commitment to "re-energising" local communities.

"We are grateful to the shop owner for permission to complete the mural and to Resene for its generous donation of paint."

Completed by Stephen Arthur and Tony Pope, the mural retells the story of Ihenga and the Patupaiarehe (Fairy People) of Mt Ngongotaha.

It is the first mural completed through the Keep Rotorua Beautiful committee and took about 120 hours to complete.

"We thought it was appropriate to focus on the legend of Ihenga given the shopping centre's proximity to Ngongotaha'" Mr Arthur said.

"The locals have been appreciative of the subject and seem to be very receptive to the mural."

Students from Aorangi and Western Heights Primary Schools helped with the design and worked on some of the painting itself.

"Having done various murals at schools around the city it was only natural to keep the children involved in this community project. It also meant they took more ownership of the project," Mr Arthur said.

"I'd definitely like to do more murals with the committee, it will just be a matter of available space and time."

Mr Pope said it had been a great experience.

"We appreciated the numerous people who stopped for a chat and seemed so positive about their community. We trust the mural contributes to the pride they have in the Pleasant Heights area."