Murals

All around Ōpōtiki, you’ll spot murals on the walls. Youth Art in Public Places Ōpōtiki project was coordinated by Ōpōtiki’s Children’s Art House director Shona Hammond Boys. Murals were created by over 100 young people from 12 schools.

Pou and Carving

Pouwhenua, Waiōtahe Beach: the Pouwhenua (welcome poles) were carved by Heke Collier. They depict ‘Te ara ki te tairawhiti’, ‘The pathway to the sunrise’.

Carving on Church Street: this shows the progress of civilizations, with the introduction of agriculture, horticulture and trading.

Entrance to shopping precinct on Church Street: the essence of these carvings is survival, with one showing a bird, the other a pikopiko, fern frond.

For further details, please ask at Opotiki i-SITE.

Arts and crafts

Ōpōtiki and the Eastern Bay of Plenty has a thriving arts and crafts scene, with a number of studios to visit. 

Studios to Visit

Anna Gedson, 30 Tirohanga Road; please call 07 315 6594.

Robyn Forbes Studio, 9 Paerata Ridge, Waiōtahe Beach; please call 07 315 7362.

Margaret and Stuart Slade, Cheddar Valley Pottery, 1034 Wainui Road; open most days, 07 312 4583.

Owls Woodcraft, 28 Church Street, Ōpōtiki; open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, 07 315 5622.