With the dust now settled on our crown after coming out on top at the recent Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards, attention has now turned to the prize at hand.

Whakatāne took out the ‘Most Beautiful Towns & Cities Supreme Award 2021’, and to acknowledge this achievement, Whakatāne District Council has been provided the opportunity to commission an artist to paint a mural in the town. 

With the support of Keep New Zealand Beautiful and Resene, Council is now calling for proposals from creative groups, collectives or individuals interested in designing and painting the mural. 

General Manager Community Experience Georgina Fletcher says much thought has gone in to selecting the perfect spot for the artwork.

“The Keep NZ Beautiful entry was specific to Whakatāne township with Council entering the ‘Most Beautiful Large Town’ category,” says Georgina.

“It’s been quite the process weighing up appropriate locations across Whakatāne township and coming to an agreement of where best to display this work.”

Georgina adds, “The mural is going to be a long-lasting reminder of our communities’ collective efforts in taking out Supreme at the Keep NZ Beautiful Awards and will also serve as a constant reminder of the need to keep striving to keep our slice of paradise beautiful – so it’s important we get this right.”

“A blank wall alongside Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi / Whakatāne Libraries and Galleries located along the Esplanade Walkway in the Whakatāne CBD has been chosen.”

“We are thrilled at the prospect of providing further life and colour to this well-used walkway through art,” says Georgina. 

Proposals must align with the Keep New Zealand Beautiful Award themes which are Sustainability and Environment. The selected proposal will be judged on environmental messaging, originality, and creative flair. The work, of which will be remunerated, will need to enhance the space in a unique way, and is subject to artist availability and supplied timeframes.

“It is our hope the selected proposal will also include aspects of why Whakatāne was originally selected for the award.”  

Design entries open Monday 15th August and close 5pm on 19th September 2022.  The wall is eleven metres wide by four metres high. Design submissions are to be emailed to kim.fort@whakatane.govt.nz and should include the artists full name, phone number, mural title and design rationale. The selected artist of the Most Beautiful Towns & Cities Supreme Awards Mural will be notified on 30th September 2022.

For terms and conditions please see whakatane.govt.nz/keepnewzealandbeautiful