Graffiato: Taupo Street Art Festival returns over Labour weekend and 10 more walls will be turned into works of art. It’s the 8th year of the festival in 2018 and the current street art trail map (downloadable via the link above) helps you find 30 of the art works that have been created over the years.

New Zealand has some captivating street art and sometimes I think I’ve found a favourite art work or artist and then around the next corner – ‘wow, another favourite’. In Taupo it was more ‘bow wow’ as it was the realism of the dogs painted by Jacob Chrisohoou (Siren) and Mr G that especially struck a chord with me ……..

By Jacob Chrisohoou (Siren) (No. 24 on the street art map)

By Mr G (No. 30, on Runanga Street)

By Erin Forsyth (No. 19)

By Jonny 4Hire (No. 5)

By Gina Kiel (No. 10)

By Odjobs (No. 11)

By Tane (No. 23)

By Charles & Janine Williams

By Jonny 4Higher (No. 5)

By Odjobs & Mica Still

By Dager, on Runanga Street

By Zoe Hall (No.2)

‘Kia tangi ai….te tini parirau’ are the Maori words on the kereru mural (below), they translate in English – To hear the sound of many wings.

By Charles & Janine Williams (No. 28, on Runanga Street)