Created during the children’s repurposing art workshop held in January at the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre, the mural recognises sustainability through Papatūānuku, the earth mother.

 

Ruby, who conceived the mural, says some of the features represented are Mt Ruapehu and the Awa with the river waves in a koru pattern representing the new life which we are giving to these recycled materials.

 

The yellow mangopare design, a hammerhead shark symbol that runs along the bottom of the mural, represents the strength of our materials on their journey through the earth, a reminder that all things come from the earth. The mural also looks to the past, for sustainable solutions to modern environmental issues.

 

There are native plants, harakeke on the left that symbolizes whanau; we are all family, while to the right, a large Kauri, Tane Mahuta, who separated Papatuanuku and Ranginui to give way for light and life on earth.

 

Gratitude from all involved is expressed to the Margaret Watt Children’s Trust and Creative Communities NZ, for the financial support which allowed the workshop to be a free school holiday activity for the children.