Martinborough has a new wall mural depicting a family of native birds with strong connections to Wairarapa.
The mural has been designed and painted by Manawatū artist Joe McMenamin and is part of the reignited Marty Mural Walk.
It is a continuation of the Martinborough Mural Walk Project that came into being five years ago – a vision by Auriga Martin, former owner of Ventana Creative Collective.
The Martinborough Mural Walk Project brought public art to the town and became a popular addition, with its variety of colourful art works in key locations. In recent years, no new works have been added, until local Charlotte Harding decided to reignite the project under its new name, Marty Mural Walk.
The latest artwork is a collaboration between Harding and Wairarapa-based business Tranzit.
After receiving funding from the Creative Communities Scheme through South Wairarapa District Council to revive the project, Harding approached Tranzit – the owners of a property on the corner of Broadway and Cologne Streets – requesting permission to transform the colourless wall.
Tranzit, a fourth-generation family business preparing to celebrate its centenary, thought it was a great opportunity and loved how muralist McMenamin wove a family connection into the artwork, Tranzit spokesperson Katie Farman said.
“The mural features a family of native birds including the karearea falcon and a white kiwi, with a nod to Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, which has a long association with Tranzit.”
Harding added: “Hopefully this will just be the start of a growing mural walk to add to the many other things there are to do in Martinborough.”
The development of a new map and app would also be part of the project, she said.
