Street art is a big thing in Taupō, so it’s no surprise that this place is one-hundred-percent proud to host the 100% Love Taupō mural. You’ll find it in a narrow laneway, close to the lakefront. Big and beautiful, uniquely Taupō and a world-first in its way — a giant love letter to the Taupō region.
In the space of 15m x 5m, the 100% Love Taupō mural deftly encapsulates the iconic beauty of the Central North Island, and the living beings — landscapes, flora, fauna and people — that inhabit these places.
Inspired by the spirit of 100% Pure New Zealand, the mural is a design first. The iconic logo, usually reserved for international marketing campaigns, has been gifted a first-ever permanent home in the Taupō mural.
Taupō artist and graphic designer Gemma Clough designed and painted the 15m x 5m, one-of-a-kind 100% Love Taupō mural.
The individual letters of the 100% Pure New Zealand logo provide the frame for a colourful medley of Taupō landscapes and wildlife. The mural includes a QR code that visitors can use to find out about the icons featured in the painting.
Gemma — aka street artist Gemini — is no stranger to the walls of Taupō. She grew up here and honed her street art skills volunteering, then as a guest artist painting in the town’s annual Graffiato Festival. Several of her works feature among the 85 murals around town that originated with Graffiato.
The Love Taupō mural is Gemma’s biggest project to date, and it was painted over 7 days in the week preceding the annual three-day Graffiato Festival.
Gemma’s design concept was selected for the striking way it weaves together a wide variety of iconic landscapes, wildlife and human activity.
Flowing waters form a central theme connecting designs inspired by some of the Central North Island’s most recognisable landforms.
Observant locals and visitors alike will spot Lake Taupō, the mountains of Tongariro National Park, the Tongariro and Waikato rivers, Huka Falls, the wild Western Bays and the forests of Pureora alongside colourful wildlife — tuī, piwakawaka, kererū, whio, and kōwhai blooms — populating these precious places.
Gemma describes her design as “a celebration of our natural beauty. Every time I come home from holiday, I crest the control gate hill and am always stunned with the beauty of the place we live in.”
You’ll find the 100% Love Taupō mural on a wall, in a lane way, in the town’s lakefront hospitality precinct. It’s sited on the side of 42 Roberts Street, adjacent to popular Café Baku and other eateries, bars and restaurants.
Don’t miss out on the nearby Te Atea installation. There’s a strong synergy between the mural and Te Atea where the same birds and iconic waterways are represented on the giant traditionally carved pou at the centre of this impressive public gathering space.
Get out on the deep blue waters of Australasia’s biggest freshwater lake. Discover delightful bays and glorious sunsets.
Catch some almighty white water thrills. Raft or jet boat the Waikato and Tongariro rivers — the pristine waterways that flow into and out of Lake Taupō.
Hike in a dual UNESCO World Heritage Area — a vast, treasured domain revered for outstanding landscapes and unique cultural significance.
Follow peaceful trails to explore ancient forests and marvel at the grandeur of magnificent living beings that have survived the ages.
