Rotorua artists bring kindergarten children's ideas to life with mural

Maria Marshall (left) and Jackie Lunam were two of the artists who worked on the mural. Photo/Stephen Parker

A Rotorua kindergarten is proud of its new mural which was painted by Rotorua artists and depicts local mythology.

Julie Graddy, Central Kids Kindergarten Fairview Park head teacher, said what was on the mural was local mythology and the children's and their whanau's ideas.

"These are really significant stories to our kids."

The mural included Ngongotaha mountain, Hatupatu and the Bird Woman and Maui catching the sun and the Wishing Tree at Lake Rotoiti, among others.

Graddy said the ladybugs, trees and caterpillars also tied in with how they were a bronze award Enviroschool.

She said the mural was something they were proud of.

"We can't thank them [the artists] enough for hearing what we wanted and putting it together in such a great way.

"Our kids just love it."

(From left) Nathaniel Hiraka-Rakatau, 4, Skyla Fenwick, 4, Tryden Turnbull, 5, Mikaira Allen, 3, and Breeze Hurae, 4 with the mural. Photo/Shauni James

The artists were Jackie Lunam, Maria Marshall and Glenys Courtney-Strachan of new business Design Tank Ltd.

Lunam and Marshall said the children told them what they wanted and what stories they wanted to tell.

As the mural showed stories the children were learning about, they had a vested interest in the stories.

It took 90 hours of painting over a weekend, as well as hours spent on the design, preparation and undercoating.

Contacts, friends and family of the artists also volunteered to give a hand with painting.

Officially, Design Tank has been running for three weeks and has also done a mural at Central Kids Kindergarten Helen Downer.

The artists said they were willing to work with whoever wanted their own story told through a design.

Lunam said it was nice to put the client's ideas out there which they could not do themselves.

"And the children love seeing it come to life."