Blenheim streets to flow with Māori creativity

A remarkable and vibrant art show will take place on Blenheim streets featuring the area’s five waterways.

Screens with bold, bright and contemporary Māori art will feature around work sites during Blenheim’s town centre refresh.

The artwork is led by local artist, filmmaker and content creator Keelan Walker of Ngāti Kuia, Rangitāne and Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō descent.

Keelan said he was inspired to develop the theme encompassing the Taylor River / Waikura, Doctors Creek/ Takapūkoko, Fultons Creek / Waiariki, Murphys Creek / Pounaho and Opawa River / Ōpaoa to see the waterways' traditional names revitalised.

“These names carry stories, history and knowledge about the natural environment and the people connected to it,” he said. “We want people to value the waterways more deeply and think about how to protect and preserve them through a conscious collective effort.”

Keelan has worked with Dr Peter Meihana, Te Matahiapo Hynes and Judith MacDonald on a cultural mapping project which involved researching the traditional names of local rivers and waterways.

“It was fascinating and we uncovered an incredible amount of knowledge and history to share with the community,” he said. “The five-river theme felt like a natural and meaningful way to bring those stories together.”

Council’s Arts, Council and Heritage Manager Nicola Neilson said Space Create looked for opportunities to activate underused and vacant spaces with creative and energetic projects.

“The fencing was identified as a blank canvas and Keelan was commissioned through Council’s Ngā toi Māori working group,” she said. “Space Create is a Council initiative designed to revitalise town centres into vibrant community hubs through art, performance and pop-up projects. The screens present the perfect platform to display art.”

Council’s Heritage team is also working with Rangitāne on an accompanying exhibition called Ngā wai e rima to be held at Rangitāne House, launching mid-June.