Excitement is building in a Tauranga suburb as a festival – to debut this month – will bring a burst of colour, culture and community storytelling to residents and visitors alike.

The Greerton Village Mural Festival will see five murals created across the village from June 15-26, culminating in a community celebration on June 27 at 10am at Greerton Library.

Greerton Mainstreet manager Mel Carullo said the vibrant art will have a positive impact.

“This exciting initiative will see a number of talented artists transforming spaces throughout Greerton,” she said.

The festival had been initiated and overseen by Tauranga artist Sam Allen, who worked with locals to help select mural sites and develop concepts.

Give love

Allen said the project was about bringing more public art into the community.

“The reason I initiated this project was to give love to Greerton because I’ve seen artworks go up around the city, the city centre, and over at the Mount, and I feel like this community needs some extra love and care – to put art on the walls and make this a better environment for people to live and work and exist here,” he said.

Greerton Mainstreet Manager Mel Carullo is looking forward to the Greerton Mural Festival. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

The five artists involved in delivering the murals are Tautoko Matehaere, Marsh Pearson, Manea Ngatai, Louis Mikaere and Millie Pidwill.

Matehaere’s mural reinterprets traditional marae architecture through a bold purple and orange palette, centring a wharenui framed by carved guardians, native planting and a taniwha emerging from beneath a brick wall.

Flowing pathways and layered landscape forms guide the viewer through a composition inspired by tukutuku and carving patterns, blending storytelling with contemporary street art.

Valuable opportunity

He said the festival was a valuable opportunity for smaller communities.

“I think this festival is really important because it brings artwork and murals to communities that don’t often get these sorts of large-scale projects. It’s a great opportunity to revitalise Greerton and to give it some new life with some amazing new artwork,” Matehaere said.

Pearson’s mural at the Chadwick Rd stairs will feature wheku and manaia figures representing kaitiaki or protectors of the area. Each figure will be positioned to watch over the space from different directions, alongside tukutuku-inspired kaokao patterns symbolising strength, support and protection.

Ngatai’s mural on the carpark side of The Salvation Army Family Store building will feature cherry blossom trees and classic cars, reflecting memories of the popular seasonal festival that’s been a notable annual feature of Greerton Village.

Mikaere’s design on the front of the Super Liquor store will welcome visitors entering Tauranga from the southern gateway. The artwork will explore a theme of community strengthened through diversity, using woven threads and birds to represent movement, connection and freedom.

Pidwill will transform the northern end of the village with a mural on the former Waipuna Hospice shop next to Greerton Hall. Her design will feature two large fantails in flight, reflecting Greerton’s connection to nature and community.

A reflection

Carullo said the festival reflects the identity and spirit of the village.

“The festival is a celebration of Greerton’s identity, diversity, and community spirit, while creating vibrant new public artwork for residents and visitors to enjoy for years to come.”

She said the June 27 celebration will bring the community together to mark the completion of the project.

“The event will feature a special kapa haka performance by Greerton Village Primary School, helping to showcase the rich cultural heritage and talent within our local community.”

Carullo said the project shows what can be achieved through collaboration.

“We are incredibly excited to see these artworks come to life and the positive impact they will have on the look and feel of our village.”