Mural Masterpieces - Te Kopuru School

Location:
Te Kopuru School, Norton Street, Te Kopuru.

Team:
Vale Boost, Nathan Lang, Freya Puharich, Heath Cossill, Senura de Silva, Jasmine Vallender, Amanda Hutching, Brandon Ferguson, Shayne Collins, Tarawhite Fenton.

Assisted by Karyn Templeton and George.

Accessible to public:
Yes.

Mural theme:
Te Kopuru School Vision.

Background to mural creation:
Ten extension art students joined together to portray the school vision through the medium of a mural. The Whare Whakapiri Tuhono o nga Tangata katoa (the house that brings all together) represents Te Kopuru School. The three koru represent the values that are modelled at the school - tika, pono and aroha (truth, honesty and love).

Papatuanuku (Earth Mother) is the foundation of the school. She teaches respect of the school, the staff, the community and one another. These are represented by the amo (the brown sides) and the maihi (the two red bargeboards) of the whare. They are the protectors.

The hills represent scenes from the district. TokaToka and Maungaraho are the maunga, the mountains. They teach all to be tall and proud of who they are. They stand guard and give kaha, maia, manawanui. They teach all to be strong, proud and steadfast. They are always there.

Ranganui (Sky Father) is the shelter. He keeps everyone together. Without his shelter, without his tears, there would be nothing.

The Wairoa river runs through the community. It is believed there are three taniwha in the river. Ko Pokopoko, Rangiriri raua ko Hoeroa.

Pokopoko is the guardian of the river.

Rangiruru is the log that swims against the tide. If seen he is the bringer of bad news.

Where the freshwater and the saltwater meet in the river, a wave is formed that travels upstream - this is Hoeroa.

The edges of the mural show the koru that represent the school. Behind the koru are the symbols for the breath of life. Tihei Maori Ora. He is the beginning, he is the end.