Vibrant colors explode before us. This is Romina Romero’s award-winning mural, ‘Te Mauri o Tāmaki Makaurau (Life Force of Auckland)’. It’s more commonly known as The Kauri Canopy Mural.
Located on the corner of Rankin Avenue and Margan Avenue in New Lynn. The Kauri Canopy Mural is a celebration of the Waitākere Ranges. It’s an ode to the kauri trees and their fight for survival.
Romina was one of ten winners in Keep New Zealand Beautiful’s Resene Nature Mural Competition 2023. Her work beautifies this community. It is a source of pride.
The Kauri Canopy Mural focuses on the kauri tree. Native flora surround it. You’ll see ferns, kōwhai, pōhutukawa, flax and Waitākere manuka flowers.
The 22400 kauri trees of the Waitākere Ranges are Auckland’s life force. Kauri are integral to Māori culture and faith. They are a keystone species. They are also ecosystem engineers. They modify the soil. This creates unique plant communities. These communities depend entirely on them.
Romina highlights the threat of kauri dieback. This disease significantly impacts the Waitākere Ranges. People cause soil disturbance. They transport the disease on their feet.
New Zealand forests have unique plant collections. There is nothing else like them on earth. We must care for the ‘Great Forest of Tiriwa’ that is the Waitākere Ranges. If we do we will flourish.
Romina enjoyed working on The Kauri Canopy Mural. Locals shared their appreciation and stories. The Kauri Canopy Mural is in a prominent location in New Lynn. This ensures many people can enjoy it.
‘Te Mauri o Tāmaki Makaurau’ uses many Resene paints. These include Resene Blue Smoke, Resene Nebula and Resene Green Meets Blue. Also used were Resene Laurel, Resene Summer Green and Resene Calypso. You’ll see Resene Awash, Resene Half Kumutoto and Resene Lip Service. Others are Resene Cabaret, Resene Soothe and Resene Spitfire. And also Resene Golden Sand, Resene Gimblet, Resene Double Masala, Resene Double Stonehenge and Resene Bronco.
The Resene Nature Mural Competition runs from April to June. Community members submit environmentally-themed designs. These are painted on local walls. The top ten murals are selected based on their environmental message. Enhancement of the community is key. Originality and creativity are important. Winners have up to 12 months to complete their mural.
Keep New Zealand Beautiful CEO Heather Saunderson is impressed. The Resene Nature Mural Competition beautifies local communities. This increases civic pride. It deters vandalism. It reduces anti-social behavior.
The Kauri Canopy Mural competition had many high-caliber entries. Narrowing it down to ten winners was tough. Everyone is thrilled with Romina’s mural.
Remember The Kauri Canopy Mural. It is more than just art. It is a reminder of our connection to nature. It is a call to protect our precious kauri trees.