Hamilton’s unsung heroes paint the town new

Hamilton is looking livelier after street artists took to some of the grey city centre walls, giving it a much-needed makeover at the weekend.

Hamilton’s first street art festival, Boon, gave many of the blank walls throughout the city new life, as they were transformed into amazing pieces of art over three days.

Boon organisers were so thrilled with the success of the festival they are hoping to turn it in to an annual event.

The public could watch the creation of nine different murals, painted by the 11 street artists involved.

The artists were mostly Hamilton-based although some travelled from places like Coromandel and Palmerston North.

Boon committee member Nick Johnston said: “We are passionate about art in Hamilton, and making Hamilton’s artistic and creative identity strong – there’s a lot of talent here that deserves to be showcased. We are also passionate about vibrancy in the central city.”

Wintec Media Arts graduate Te Haunui Tuna, 24, one of the artists painting at the festival, laughed that his Alexandra St mural would be completed as long as the All Blacks won the world cup. Tuna took to one of the larger walls, armed with a paintbrush to create a moving and powerful piece of art.

Tuna’s mural was inspired by the Ōrākau battle, or the ‘Invasion of the Waikato,’ at which the colonial government confiscated large scales of land from Māori. His painting shows the assistance of Tūhoe during the battle, which is represented by a strong and mighty warrior. “They likened the colonial government to a raging bull,” said Tuna.

“The festival was mean. Definitely a good idea,” said Tuna. “[It] can only get bigger and better.”