Chasing your Dreams
Ahhh, California! Where inspirations and aspirations meet, sometimes coming to fruition, sometimes crashing and fragmenting like waves upon a rocky shore (mood music, maestro). This is the story of a visitor to our shores, and his experience. If this doesn’t […]
Horses Appear Out of Thin Air
In the hands of Michael Montgomerie, some of Taranaki’s top racehorse have taken new form. The 26-year-old graphic design graduate was commissioned by the Taranaki JC to paint a selection of horses who have gained champion status while trained at […]
Stathi lives on for his fallen Comrades
Shoot Out’s Randwick Guineas victory in March was the start of his great trek towards Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup. It was the four-year-old’s first Group 1 victory and was supposed to be part of the journey that propelled Gold Coast trainer […]
World of Paua Opens to Visitors
New Plymouth artist Michael Montgomerie shows off the mural that won him second place in the National Sign and Display awards. The mural covers the interior of the Rainbow Pearls shop at the New Plymouth paua farm. It was designed […]
Marine Park Mural Takes Flight
More than 20 years ago, Michael Montgomerie starting chasing his dream to become a mural artist and while his work graces walls around the globe, it’s the hometown creations that carry special significance to him. For the past few weeks, […]
Life Education Trust
Life Education is an ongoing positive health bass education programme that aims to give the children of New Zealand the knowledge and skills that will keep them free from harmful substance. The Taranaki Life Education Trust is responsible for providing […]
Imaginations Run Wild
Published In: The Reporter
Date: April 29, 2011
WORKSHOP FUN: Students participated in a workshop at Youth and Family service (Logan City) with their creations to be used in a mural being painted at Woodridge Train Station. Students let their imaginations run wild during a creative workshop at […]
Waitara Central Pepeha
Published In: Sign Display Awards
This mural was designed based on the schools “Pepeha” which connects and acknowledges its identity and ancestry. Each image is deliberate and has a meaning. The waka on the blue image is the famous “Tokomaru” which is connected to the […]
Te Ara Whakamua O Whaitara – The Journey Forward
Published In: Te Ara Whakamua O Whaitara
Date: April 26, 2026
Meet Michael “Monty” Montgomerie: the first Beautify Waitara mural underway this week is being created by award winning artist Michael (“Monty”) Montgomerie. Monty grew up in Waitara, attended Waitara Central School and Waitara High School, has travelled the world and […]
You Know You Lived in Waitara When…
Published In: You Know You Lived in Waitara When…
Date: February 6, 2026
Facebook Post Moana Watene So I went for a Sunday drive down Marine park to see who’s gonna chuck a fresh fish at me, as they do, to no avail, ka pai lol. Well as I was leaving I spied […]
Methanex funds murals at local school
Methanex is behind the local community by investing in Huirangi Primary School’s breath-taking murals. The organisation funded the school’s two murals to showcase its identity on the outer walls of a classroom block, situated south of Methanex off Waitara Road. […]
‘Eyesore’ at Marine Park – Facelift
Published In: Stuff
Date: April 24, 2026
By Deena Coster – May 24, 2022 A colourful makeover is on the agenda for an “eyesore” watertank at one of Waitara’s most picturesque places. The design concept of teacher and artist Michael Montgomerie got the thumbs up from the […]
Murals transform the Taranaki town of Waitara
Published In: RNZ
Date: July 31, 2020
By Nine To Noon – 31 July 2020 A community project is bringing vibrancy to some of a Northern Taranaki town’s blank walls. Beautify Waitara is a collective of locals who are using art to transform community spaces and to encourage […]
From the world to Waitara
Published In: Stuff | Taranaki Daily News
Date: April 25, 2022
By Deena Coster More than 20 years ago, Michael Montgomerie starting chasing his dream to become a mural artist and while his work graces walls around the globe, it’s the hometown creations which carry special significance to him. For the […]
Mural artist makes lasting impression in home town
Published In: The Post | Taranaki Daily News
Date: October 30, 2025
By Deena Coster — Taranaki Daily News, October 30, 2025. Mural artist Michael Montgomerie usually doesn’t have to look too far for inspiration. “I see a big wall and I think, I could do something with that”. “The mural artist’s […]