Wonders of Whakatane - Local Murals

I couldn't post about a place without checking out its local street art, and Whakatane has some really awesome ones! Some older, some more recent, some are proud and prominent, others are a bit hidden, though not any less interesting.

The most popular one can be found right in the center of town, on the corner of The Strand and Richardson St. It was painted by Tuhoe artist Tame Iti and Owen Dippie, a muralist from nearby Kawerau. It is titled Te Tira Hou or New Generation, and features Iti's grandson in a larger-than-life photo-realistic image.

Though this is the mural most people will direct you to, there are some less recognized, but probably more interesting images strewn all about. Right behind the geographically marcant Poaturoa Rock, located also in the town center, is a wall with interesting Maori art designs. At a closer look one will see various images of local land and marine wildlife, as well as a compass, a sextant, and other navigational instruments.

Only a block further, behind the Whakatane Hotel, on the corner of George St. and Canning Pl. is a mural of a Tui bird, which to me is even more iconic for New Zealand than the stereotypical Kiwi. Though the latter one is nationally and internationally recognized as a symbol of New Zealand and its people, it's rather rare, elusive, and only active at night. Whereas the Tui can be seen everywhere in the daytime, and is unmistakable with its beautiful black feathers, shimmering green, and blue in the sun, and its white "bow tie" on its neck. Also the sounds it makes are quite cool, ranging from flutes and whistles to some rather noisy squawks and crackles.

My favorite mural, however, can be found on King's St. in the part of town known as Kopeopeo. Hidden behind the Salvation Army, the mural depicts to town itself, in its stylized, idealized image, created by Pittsburgh based artist Brian Gonnella, assisted by Jozef Horopapera and Tina Tangiweto. Although it is probably the most hidden mural, painted on a corrugated iron sheet, I really like this painting, as it shows many interesting features of Whakatane. At The Heads you can see Wairaka's statue on Irakewa Rock, Muriwai Cave, and on top of the hill Toi's Pa on the Kaput Te Rangi.

Most interestingly, however, there is a character on the right side of the mural whom I did not recognize. Who could it be? Maybe Toroa, captain of the Mataatua waka? Or his father Irakewa? Or maybe Toi himself? Or is it Tiwakawaka, one of the first people to settle the land, or his legendary grandfather Maui, who caught New Zealand like a giant fish? I would LOVE an answer to this great mystery. I left a message on Brian Gonnella's facebook page showing this very image, hoping to get some enlightenment on this prominent Maori figure in his mural.