Internationally-respected street artist Graham Hoete, of Tauranga — known as Mr G — has recently established links with a Hastings youth development trust, Te Taitimu Trust.
Huirapa runaka (sub-tribal council) manager Suzanne Ellison said the artist had created a large scale portrait of a Karitane kaumatua, Hoani Matiu (1854-1944).
Ms Ellison said Mr G's specialty was "portraiture using spray paint and his works can be found throughout New Zealand and internationally.
"The subject, Hoani Matiu, was renowned for his knowledge of Kai Tahu and he was someone who was very
concerned that young people in his day were rapidly losing touch with their culture and understanding where they belonged," she said.
The artwork was a "wonderful koha" and a "stunning work", which strongly brought back to mind the story of Hoani Matiu, she said.
