The art work was carried out in stages during the year and completed in August 2021.
Te Pāka Papareti o Waimeha Mural was designed and installed by Nerys Ngaruhe to transform existing graffiti and prevent further vandalism.
The mural in the top image on this page was painted during the Girls Skate Park Takeover event in March 2021. Artist Nerys Ngaruhe taught girls some basics of spray painting. The collage of signatures and various elements created a bright artwork on the right side of the concrete structure, while the left side displayed the name of the area - Waimeha with an 'h'.
Nerys says that the design is aimed at restoring knowledge of Waimeha/Richmond that has been erased due to colonization. The elements of the design are significant Te Ao Māori elements and represent how the area was a mahinga kai, a trading route, paa and kainga.
While Nerys was working on this project she had several conversations with rangatahi about the meaning of the art works and lots of positive feedback from the community.
Richmond Skate Park, located in Jubliee Park, off Gladstone Road.
Born in 1994 of Rongomaiwahine, Ngati Kahungunu, Rangitane and Ngai Tahu descent, Nerys grew up in both Aotearoa New Zealand and Cymru Wales, and is currently based around Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka a Maui, Aotearoa.
Nerys graduated in 2015 from NMIT with a Certificate in Māori Visual Art and established A.G.E (Active Graffiti Evolvement) in early 2020.
Nerys' work is inspired by culture, history, myths, legends and dinosaurs.
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