The mural that graces the exterior walls of the Karahui Wine Bar and Eatery, and Tohi Gin room was an idea of Dudley-Anne Hill. 4 main roads lead into the Martinborough Square. On each corner the main historical building is highlighted.
The vision was bought to life by Mike and Lindie, of Dusty&Lulu
The first graphic shows the BNZ Building. There is cycling round the vineyards, the balloon festival, musical events, the rugby club, viticulture, and falcons, a vintage maori doll and a marae entrance. The BNZ building has been lifted by a retro guy to vacuum underneath, quite the opposite of the expected domestic housewife of the time. There is even a line drawing of the workings of a wine press.
Next shows Oxford Street and the old Pukemanu Hotel, originally the Club Hotel. This entrance to the square represents our farming community. There are the cattle, sheep working dogs, hay bales and bathtubs, cabbage trees and the natural coastline of Tora. There are the beehives, a rooster with a bunch of wildflowers rodeoing a golf bag, a windmill, farm shed, an olive branch, and a line drawing of beer keg tap system.
Jellicoe Street pays homage to the stunning old P&K building. Crayfish and octopus take over Cape Palliser lighthouse. The iconic bull dozers at Ngawi are there with an eel from Lake Wairarapa. Mr Seagull fisherman is floating in his bouncy aid whilst eating a chip, out of his newspaper parcel.
The landscape of the coast is dramatic. A few kiwi bachs hide in the hills. The octopus boat scene portrays the Maori legend of Kupe, Ngake, chasing Te Wheke (the giant octopus) to discover our country of Aotearoa, ending up at Cape Palliser. The line drawing illustrates how a lighthouse works.
Kitchener Street, the fourth illustration features the Martinborough Hotel. The secret watering holes between Featherston and Martinborough are ideal for dive bombs. Cars loaded with suitcases portray visitors coming for the weekend. The old Fell engine exits the tunnel. Palliser bubbles and strawberries, represent celebrations and Mr Trout leaps out of the champagne glass to represent fishing in the Ruamahanga. And lastly there is a diagram of a working wind turbine.
“The mural showcases our wonderful community. We love the fact that as a local you can relate, see the humour, and be intrigued by what you see. We think these graphics are super fun!” says Dudley-Anne Hill.
