New Nature Mural Blooms In Celebration Of Upper Hutt's Diverse Cultural Roots

Scoop

a day ago

Following the recent completion of a new community mural, the southern end of Upper Hutt's Main Street is set to wow locals and visitors alike.
The stunning artwork, installed on the side of the Lagans Pharmacy building, celebrates the city's growing cultural diversity and the impact of its natural environment on shaping a sense of belonging.
Th e mural is a collaboration between Upper Hutt City Council and the Upper Hutt Multicultural Council, with local students from Maidstone Intermediate providing considerable input into the mural's design.
'Many of our ākonga (students) have families who set out from different parts of the world to make Upper Hutt their home. It's great to see them so actively engaged to contribute to their city, and to capture what they love about growing up in Upper Hutt,' says Wikus Swanepoel, principal at Maidstone Intermediate.
Artist Aidan Walbækken (Te Ātiawa, Tainui), whose murals are featured across the wider Wellington region, combined the students' artistic vision with his signature style using rich, saturated colours and iconic nature imagery.
While working on the mural during the last school holidays, many passersby stopped to comment on and delight in the giant kiwi, fantail, and other elements taking shape.
'It's a uniquely Upper Hutt mural. My aim was to put the spotlight on the native fauna and flora that so many locals love about living in the valley. It's a common thread that unites people, whether their families have been here for generations or whether they are new to the area,' explains Walbækken.
The mural also includes Māori and Pasifika motifs, alongside examples of international flora, with each continent being represented by a flower.
Integrating the mural into the surrounding architecture and landscape was a key consideration for Walbækken, who stresses the importance of honouring existing features in the placemaking process.
'Council has a lead role in maintaining welcoming and safe public spaces,' says Mike Ryan, Group Manager Community Services at Upper Hutt City Council.
He adds that murals bring value to the cityscape well beyond their effectiveness in reducing graffiti.
'Murals like this one create a sense of local identity and belonging, which is crucial for social cohesion and community wellbeing. The final artwork is a credit to the artist, the students, and our partners at the Upper Hutt Multicultural Council, and the full support from building owner Peter Lagan has been fantastic,' he says.
Successful collaboration, inspired by the shared goal to make the community feel welcome and included, has created an exciting art feature that will generate smiles and encourage intercultural exchange.
'The mural is a beautiful reminder that even though we may speak different languages, or may have started our journey somewhere overseas, Upper Hutt and its wonderful surrounding nature is our home,' says Pancha Narayan, president of the Upper Hutt Multicultural Council.
Locals and visitors can see the mural at 10 Main Street in central Upper Hutt.