A project focused on delivering meaningful art for the Katikati community has transformed an overlooked roadside substation on State Highway 2 into a vibrant community asset.

Travellers and the Katikati community now have a striking mural to welcome them to the area, said Powerco customer general manager Stuart Dickson.

“This is more than just a mural. It’s a taonga that incorporates the stories of Tuapiro Marae and its people through beautiful symbolism and imagery of the natural landscape,” he said in a statement.

The mural was unveiled at a dawn blessing on September 26 with representatives from Tuapiro, Te Rereatukahia and Otawhiwhi hapū and Powerco present.

Kauri Pt before. Photo / Supplied

Developed in partnership with tangata whenua at Tuapiro Marae, the mural is by artist Sarah Kolver, working in collaboration with Marino Magee (te whānau a Tauwhao).

The mural runs across two walls of the substation and incorporates the story of the people of the whenua and references the kōwhaiwhai that lines the wharenui of the marae, woven into imagery of a sunrise and a kōtare on one wall, and a sunset and a kereru on the other.

“A long-standing goal of ours has been to collaborate with mana whenua to share their stories and taonga in this way, and we’re thrilled with the outcome,” said Dickson.

“Travellers and people in the rohe truly have a treasure to enjoy.”

The mural is part of Powerco’s “art on assets” project, in which it collaborates with artists to paint murals on some of its electricity and gas buildings.

“Our art on assets programme is one way we mitigate the impact our assets have on the environment.”

The mural was also designed to help prevent graffiti at the site.