Wellington council again under fire for big spend, this time for artwork
Friday, 3 July 2026
Wellington ratepayers are set to fork out almost $300,000 for an artwork to replace a three-decade old mural painted by the local community for free.
The mural has adorned a retaining wall on Chaytor St, the main route in and out of Karori, since 1994.
Designed by local artist Doug Ford to mark the reopening of the adjacent Appleton Park, the start of that year’s Karori Festival and plans for what later became Zealandia wildlife sanctuary, it was painted by about 300 members of the community.
Another mass painting exercise followed in 1995 when it was extended to include depictions of the marae at the teachers’ training college and the Mākara landscape.
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However, the mural is set to be demolished during strengthening work on the 100-year-old wall and replaced by a new permanent artwork etched directly into the concrete surface of the new wall ‒ at a cost of $275,500 (which doesn’t include professional fees).
Mana whenua artist collective Te Wai Whenua Design Co has been commissioned by the council to produce the new work.
“The design will reflect both the heritage and present-day identity of the area and will become a significant new piece of public art for Karori,” council publicity says. “This approach reflects the Council’s commitment to working in partnership with Mana Whenua and to embedding Māori stories and cultural narratives in Wellington’s public spaces.”
The move comes just months after The Post revealed $600,000 had been spent on the new library’s website. It has infuriated locals who have condemned what they see as the latest example of excessive spending by the council.
“When is the council management going to accept that such ludicrous and unnecessary 'nice to haves' can no longer be afforded or accepted,” said one.
“It's OK for concrete to look like concrete. For the love of God, Wellington City Council, learn when to leave well enough alone!”, said another.
Local councillor Diane Calvert was concerned the community was largely left out of any decision making.
“Before the wall is completed, we should however be looking at whether there is a cheaper and more durable option for a community led design. We were originally told that was not possible but I am challenging that, given the recent costly events around the central library’s opening and website.”
The $12 million upgrade of the 200m-long wall begins next week and is expected to take 18 months. A ground-breaking and blessing ceremony was held last week, with about 30 invited guests in attendance. An artwork blessing and community opening is planned for mid-2027.