An eye-catching mural project by students of Whangaroa College aims to instil pride in Kaeo and teach a new generation about the area's vivid history and legends.
The mural, which is 2.4 metres high and just under 15m long, was mounted on the side of Kaeo's Four Square and blessed on Saturday. It features the tragic tale of the princess Rauru-iti - whose long wait ("whainga-roa") for her lover gave Whangaroa its name - as well as Whangaroa's creation story, natural beauty and links to Ngapuhi's ancestral canoe.
About two dozen Year 9-10 students worked on the project with art teacher Yazma Smith and volunteer Alistair Kay. Kaeo received a grant from the Far North District Council's Focus Project Fund, inspired by Focus Paihia's success in transforming their town, to create something celebrating the uniqueness of Whangaroa. About the same time local kaumatua put Whangaroa's key stories into writing for the first time as part of their evidence for a Waitangi Tribunal hearing at Otangaroa Marae. Mr Kay realised those stories, many of which were in danger of being forgotten, would make an ideal Focus Project. One reason for getting students involved was to reduce the chances of the mural being damaged.
"And, if they learn these stories, they'll gain an understanding of their local cultural traditions, and hopefully some pride," Mr Kay said.
Several panels are dedicated to Rauru-iti who was waiting for her lover, Kaimohi, to return from battle. When she saw his face looking towards Cape Reinga as she paddled past Whangaroa Harbour's Waihi Bay, she knew he was dead and threw herself from a clifftop in despair. Other panels tell of the battle between the mountains Maungataniwha and Taratara, which created many Whangaroa landmarks, and the anchor stone of Ngapuhi's ancestral canoe, Mataatua, which is said to lie at the bottom of Waihi Bay.
