MEDIA ADVISORY
25 February 2013

New Mural Adds Splash Of Colour To Berhampore

A newly completed mural depicting Wellington’s bush and marine life next to Granville Flats in Berhampore will be officially opened by Mayor Celia Wade-Brown this Thursday 28 February at 5pm – and media are invited to attend.

Commissioned by Wellington City Council’s City Arts and City Housing Community Action teams, the mural was painted on the retaining wall that borders the flats at 559 Adelaide Road. It was created by experienced local mural artist Ellen Coup.

The concept for the mural came about after consultation with tenants at Granville Flats, who explained they wanted it to celebrate Wellington’s environment. Ellen interpreted this by designing a mural that takes the viewer on a journey from the floor of a native forest up to the sun and then back down to the sea. Amongst other things, it features images of the striking kaka beak flower and an orca.

As well as Mayor Wade-Brown and Ellen Coup, speakers at the opening will include Arts and Culture Portfolio Leader Councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer and Council Housing Manager Vicki McLaren.

City Arts supports the development of between four to six murals each year. As well helping build community spirit and making streetscapes more vibrant and colourful, murals are an important way to minimise tagging.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>