Mr G's website describes him as a ‘contemporary multi-disciplinary artist /designer'. He may not be as shy as Banksy about having his photo taken, but facts about him are almost as scarce.

It's another story, however, on the phone. Mr G – who is former Tauranga resident Graham Hoete – is a beautifully cultured speaker and happy to chat.

CINZAH, from Napier, started work yesterday (Thursday) on his mural at the Mount. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

And he's just one of the extraordinary line-up of national and international artists at the Street Prints Mauao Street Art Festival at Mount Maunganui, which started yesterday and runs through to Sunday.

Organised by Jah and Lovie Smith, the inaugural festival will see 18 artists painting 16 murals on walls across Mount Maunganui over four days.

Originally a Tauranga local, Mr G has been living and working in Sydney for two-and-a-half years. But this weekend presents a rare opportunity for locals to see him back in action, and he's clearly happy to be flying in.

'I'm from Tauranga,” he says, 'so it's a great opportunity for me to come home, and have a paint as well. I'm looking forward to it.” It also presents a chance to catch up with friends.

'I know quite a few of the other artists – Charles and Janine [Williams] are really close friends of mine.” The Auckland couple are also professional streets artists, who have been on the scene for two decades.

Mr G is impressed with the line-up for the festival. 'Tauranga's in for a real treat,” he says.

'The calibre of artists is high. You have some of New Zealand's best, and also some international artists who are doing some really big things.”

He is full of praise for organisers, Jah and Lovie. 'They've done a really good job and need to be commended for their vision and persistence. It wouldn't have been an easy task to run something like this.”

Mount resident Phoebe Robinson (BBrealistic) is assisting Sean Yoro (Hula) from Hawaii with their creation. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

Mr G says they're trying to pitch something that people are still relatively ignorant about. Is it graffiti or street art?

'This sort of event will help to break down some of the negative stigma. People can see it first-hand, and it's going to be a real treat for the Mount.”

Other artists are also doing big things overseas, and Mr G particularly mentions Askew and Owen Dippie.

'I think a lot of the guys participating in this year's event are bringing credibility to street art in terms of the work they produce.

'It commands attention and it's beautiful. The work is stunning, and people can connect with it.”

The theme for the festival is land and sea. 'I'm going to paint a portrait of my father. He's from Motiti Island, right next door to the whole Rena thing, so it's his home. It's something appropriate to paint and I love my father.”

The artists hit the streets of Mount Maunganui yesterday, and continue throughout today, Saturday, and Sunday. There's a huge range of events across the festival covering art workshops, live street art and food as well as music from DJ Spragga.

For more information on Mr G visit: www.mrghoeteart.com

For more festival information, see: www.stprints.co.nz

'Yelz' is studying early childhood teaching and is a keen gardener and he paints. Photo: Bruce Barnard.