New Toi Māori mural brings a splash of colour to Tāhunanui
Mural artist Cairo Preston (centre, orange jacket) joined by friends, whānau, iwi representatives, Council staff, elected members, and residents at the new mural at Awatea Place.
A vibrant new mural at the Awatea Pump Station, tucked along the Great Taste Trail is bringing life and colour to Tāhunanui – celebrating both the quiet brilliance of local wildlife and the deep ancestral connection with te taiao (the natural world).
Created by artist Cairo Preston, a practitioner of toi Māori including more than a decade of experience in Tāmoko, drew deeply from te ao Māori, the coastal ecosystem of Whakatū and conversations with the community.
The mural has been named Ka Ao Ka Awatea meaning 'a new beginning' or 'coming into the light.'
“This piece features four animals, each carefully chosen through inspiration from the Pou Ahurea (iwi cultural practitioners), the local taiao (the environment), and first-hand accounts residents.
“The focal point of the mural is centred on the rays of Tamanui te Rā, which stretch outward, mirroring how the sun naturally illuminates this very spot when approached from the road.”
Acting Group Manager Community Services Martin Croft says the mural is a beautiful and meaningful addition to Nelson’s public art collection.
“It’s the tenth such commission in six years, reinforcing Council’s commitment to embedding Māori narratives across our city. The number of toi Māori artworks in the Council’s public art register, has now tripled since 2019. This mural is a wonderful contribution to Nelson’s growing legacy of toi Māori public art.”
The mural supports the aspirations of He Tātai Whetū, the Whakatū Nelson Arts and Creativity Strategy, and was jointly funded through Nelson City Council’s annual Arts Programme and Capital Projects budgets, at a cost of $30,000.
