The project was conceived by the Paekākāriki Station Precinct Trust who created an ‘Arts Walk’ around the village in an attempt to connect the Station Museum with the village and to recognise some of the local artistic talent.

The artwork takes its place in a route that starts at the Paekākāriki shops and wanders along the shore, up the Sand Track, across to Tilley Road, finishing at the Paekākāriki Railway Station.

The mural has been funded by the Kāpiti Coast District Council and the Wellington Community Trust, and is supported by the Paekākāriki Community Board, Ngāti Haumia and descendants of Pearl and Florrie – the Mills and Ward families.

Phill on the background to the project:
I was approached by Dave Johnson and Jenny Clark from the Paekākāriki Station Precinct Trust with the initial idea of digitally printing some scenes from the animation. One thing led to another. I saw it as a great opportunity to reinvent myself as a mural artist. I’ve worked with digital illustration and animation for years but never painted with a real brush. So when the project was discussed I was keen to paint by hand and see how I liked it. Turns out I loved the whole process and am looking forward to doing more painting.

There were several stages to the project: creating the design, writing and recording, the song, painting and installing the panels.  For my own sanity I haven’t recorded all the hours I’ve spent on the project but so far I’ve spent 150 hours painting in my home studio.

The mural has been funded by the Kāpiti Coast District Council and the Wellington Community Trust, and is supported by the Paekākāriki Community Board, Ngāti Haumia and descendants of Pearl and Florrie – the Mills and Ward families.