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A mural representing the stories of Te Rakitauneke and Matamata has been unveiled at Gore Main School.
On Thursday the school held an event to honour the occasion.
School principal Glenn Puna said it was a significant milestone for the school.
"The whole idea was about wanting to create a bit more cultural artwork around our school and to tie in some of the local myths and legends from the Gore area," Mr Puna said.
Two years ago the school put on a production about the legend of the Hokonui Hills, which featured Te Rakitauneke and Matamata.
"When we were starting to look at adding more cultural art to the school, that was the first thing that came to mind.
"Doing a mural that entails that legend."
The mural represented that story, the Hokonui Hills and the Mataura River.
"Matamata, in the form of a taniwha, is our guardian and looks after the people of Māruawai.
"Matamata is now here to look over everyone at Gore Main School."
Koru patterns on the mural represented the growth of the tamariki during their time at the school.
Creation of the mural had been a long process.
"The two that have been doing the mural spent hours trying to get it done.
"They showed a huge commitment to ensure that we have something that we can all be proud of."
Much of the work had been completed by former teacher-aid Laura Downing and current teacher Natasha McColl.
The mural was blessed by Hokonui Rūnanga cultural adviser Matu Coleman-Clarke.
The school also held its first hāngī on Thursday.
"It was quite cool to get both of those done for our school.
"A lot of people have helped to make the hāngī happen."
"That was quite significant for our school and our community with the journey we have been on around wanting to improve our commitment to Te ao Māori."