Award-winning mural unveiled in Rotorua

3 Dec 2020

Rotorua artist, Mark Noble, has unveiled his award-winning mural titled, ‘Care For The World, And It Shall Care For You’ on the corner of Malfroy Road and Old Taupo Road in Rotorua.

Mark was one of ten winners from across the country who took out the top prize in Keep New Zealand Beautiful’s Resene Nature Murals Competition 2020.

The mural features a young girl letting a Kōtare (Kingfisher) free from her hands set on a landscape of mountains and forest to convey the message that we should care for our earth and ourselves.

“The mural displays human’s innate connection to earth, and the earth’s connection to us, through the intertwining of the girl and the landscape. The release of the Kōtare symbolises that we should care for both the earth and ourselves, and accentuates visually a caring and trusting relationship,” says Mark.

“It’s been a great experience and privilege being a part of the Nature Mural competition run by Resene and Keep New Zealand Beautiful. Thanks to all who were involved in helping with the mural competition, and to all the locals in Rotorua who stopped to chat and give feedback about the mural.”

The Resene Nature Murals Competition, which is part of the Paint New Zealand Beautiful programme, ran from April to June 2020, with artists encouraged to submit mural designs which included an environmental message. Artists from around the country sent in their designs, with the top ten murals selected based on their environmental message, enhancement of the community, and originality/creativity.

Winning designs receive a $1000 grant upon completion, along with a $750 Resene paint voucher and other materials to paint their mural.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful CEO, Heather Saunderson, said: “This is the fourth year we have partnered with Resene to run our Nature Murals Competition and we were absolutely amazed by both the quality and quantity of entries this year. Research has shown that the beautification of public spaces deters vandalism and anti-social behaviour such as littering and graffiti, and increases civic pride. We’re proud to partner with Resene again on this programme and we’re excited to see these murals come to life and beautify their little corners of New Zealand.”

The ten winning artists and regions are listed below, with their designs visible here.