Waitī, Waitā, Waiora: Millers Acre mural unveiled

A new toi Māori mural at Millers Acre celebrates the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Whakatū.

The stunning Kāruhiruhi (pied shag) mural, Waitī, Waitā, Waiora by toi Māori artists Charles and Janine Williams was completed over four days and officially unveiled with karakia by kaumātua on Saturday 21 December, 2024. 

The ceremony was attended by the artists, iwi, elected members, council staff, and members of the community.
The mural is situated in the Millers Acre car park on the Glasgow Harley building, alongside the Maitai River. Work at Miller’s Acre to create a new bus hub will get underway this year and the mural’s theme was chosen to reflect this exciting new gateway location for Whakatu-Nelson. 

Iwi provided a whakataukī (proverb) Waitī, Waitā, Waiora, which was used by the artists to create a concept design. Waitī, Waitā, Waiora symbolises the interconnectedness of fresh and sea water, and their vital role in sustaining the wellbeing of our community. 

Waitī and Waitā are also referenced in the Matariki star cluster.

Collaboration and engagement between the artists, iwi and Council via Te Ohu Toi Ahurea, Council’s iwi cultural engagement panel, was integral to the mural’s creation with a strong emphasis placed on the importance of ensuring the finished product was deeply rooted in local narratives.

Charles and Janine began their artistic journeys during the 1990s, each developing a passion for street art. Since then, they have worked collaboratively, bringing together their unique strengths to create large-scale murals. 

“We have different parts that we tend to concentrate on, Charles works on the birds and all the detailing, and I tend to focus on the backgrounds and symmetrical patterning work,” says Janine. 

“We make sure our work speaks to the land, to the people, to the communities that live there. So, it has a connection,” says Charles.

“We had an open conversation with iwi so they could share stories or history they feel are important to say in the mural,” says Janine.

To complete a mural of this scale within the short timeframe, the artists used a doodle grid to sketch the design and relied on a scissor lift to complete the work. Acting Group Manager Community Services Martin Croft says Council is pleased to see an increase in the representation of toi Māori in Nelson’s public art collection.

“Over the past five years, Council has tripled the number of toi Māori artworks in Whakatū, this has largely been due to an increase in partnerships with iwi.

“The artists have already created two beloved murals in Nelson - Rise Up in Stoke and Sky Tūī in Neale Park - and this new mural will be their largest piece yet in Whakatū.”

Council would like to acknowledge the building owner Peter Rait and tenants Lawyers Glasgow Harley for their ongoing support of this project and public art in Nelson.

The mural is partially funded through Nelson City Council’s annual public art budget and capital projects as part of the City Revitalisation Project, with a total cost of $43,000.

This mural marks a significant achievement, reflecting the successful collaboration between Nelson City Council, iwi, artists, the building owner and tenant to deliver a culturally meaningful addition to Whakatū. It reinforces Council’s commitment to celebrating Māori heritage and enhancing the city’s artistic landscape.