Alexandra has a new splash of colour
Mural by artist Mel Butt Home | Min Design
Bold pops of colour have transformed the wall of the Alexandra District War Memorial Centre, bringing a playful new energy to the space as part of the Play Innovation Hui co-hosted by Central Otago District Council.
The mural, painted by artist Melinda Butt, celebrates the joy and fun of colour. Mel was inspired by the tikumu | mountain daisy, a feature in the regional identity guidelines of Central Otago.
“The mountain daisy seemed like a great way to represent tamariki (children) in this area. The flowers are little pops of colour that show up even in tough conditions.”
Melinda had only a week to pull a concept together and then paint the mural – a pace she usually only experiences at mural festivals.
“I don’t usually work like this, but I got it done. I’ve had so much positive feedback from the community, people walking past just love the colour and what I’ve done.”
Mel is also a Play Advocate for Whangārei District Council and was in Central Otago as part of a cohort invited to explore how play can be incorporated into local spaces and places. She describes her role as being a voice for tamariki and finding ways to enhance services through a play lens.
The mural brings this approach to life by showing how small, creative interventions – in this case vibrant bursts of colour in a public space – can bring moments of joy into everyday environments.
This Play Innovation Hui was a collaboration between Sport New Zealand | Ihi Aotearoa, CODC, and Sport Central, and was only the second time an event like this has been held. Play advocates from councils around the country gathered for a three-day design sprint focused on the future of play in the district.
Ideas were presented to CODC staff and Elected Members, encouraging CODC to be bold and lean into the uniqueness of the Central Otago region. Central Otago was selected for the initiative because of its rural communities, strong outdoor culture, and the work already underway to develop the district’s first Play Strategy.
The draft Play Strategy has been developed following extensive community engagement and outlines a 30-year vision for how play spaces and opportunities will be planned and delivered across the district while reflecting Central Otago’s unique landscape, heritage and sense of place.
From bold murals to long-term planning, the initiative encourages Central Otago to embrace creativity and play as essential parts of everyday life.
Residents are encouraged to explore the draft strategy and share their feedback through Let’s Talk Central Otago or by completing a hard copy available at council libraries and service centres.
