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Home / Rotorua Daily Post

Vibrant mural helps captivate Rotorua children with local stories

Shauni James
By Shauni James
Rotorua Weekender reporter·Rotorua Daily Post·
7 Jun, 2018 02:45 PM3 mins to read

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Rotorua Library staff and mural artists stand proudly with the new art work. Photo/Supplied

Rotorua Library staff and mural artists stand proudly with the new art work. Photo/Supplied

Children will be able to appreciate and learn about both art and storytelling thanks to a new mural at the Rotorua Library.

Staff from Rotorua Library, the Children's Health Hub and Rotorua Lakes Council joined together with artists Glenys Courtney-Strachan and Maria Marshall for the blessing of a new artwork.

The blessing for the mural - which is now on display in the Te Ao Tamariki, the Children's Area of the library - took place last Thursday.

Rotorua Lakes Council's Kaitiaki Ahurea Māori, Monty Morrison, blessed the art and spoke of the connections to other significant artworks and carvings within Te Aka Mauri.

Ānahera Sadler, Kaiurungi Mātauranga Māori for Rotorua Library, can already envisage some great oral storytelling in front of the mural in the future.

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She says significant art that depicts local heritage and connection to the mana whenua of Te Arawa is a feast for the eyes and a gift to the heart.

Glenys and Maria have painted Māori narratives in early childcare centres and kindergartens.

Glenys says the new, two-panel mural is a culmination of all the work they have done.

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"This artwork belongs to everybody. We are very proud and grateful to have it here."

The artwork incorporates several Te Arawa histories.

Kurangaituku (the bird-like woman) features in the painting, but unlike most other depictions of her, she is in flight and has Te Arawa ancestor, Hatupatu, in her clutches.

Ihenga (the great explorer) is shown surrounded by Patupaiarehe (fairy folk), enveloping him like mist.

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Te Arawa lovers, Hinemoa and Tutanekai can be seen on Mokoia together.

Kuirau Park's namesake Te Kuiarau is bathing in a pool. Te Kuiarau was taken by a taniwha, and in this mural, the taniwha is lobster-like to creatively reflect a local story behind the Lobster Pool at Kuirau Park.

As in the Te Aka Mauri artworks by David Trubridge, Tāne Mahuta and the birds and other forest life are also represented as the central tree with manu (birds) in its embrace.

A sun is also included in reference to Maui.

Rotorua library director Jane Gilbert says the artwork is significant in that it comprises a number of Te Arawa stories.

"The mural has drawn a lot of attention.

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"Children want their photo taken in front of the mural and people stand in front of it trying to look for the stories and name the characters."

The council's community arts adviser Marc Spijkerbosch says these artists have a style perfect for the space.

"Their artwork is colourful and vibrant, capturing stories of Te Arawa – such an appropriate theme for the children's section of our library."

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