The latest design in Rangiora is from Jane Reid. This initiative, where artists submit their designs, has seen four designs selected in 2024, with a wealth of creative submissions to choose from each year.

Jane Reid’s cabinet design named ‘Beauty in the Berm’ includes layers of grass and wild carrot growing on the roadside with a background of sky and Maukatere in the background. Inspired by photographs taken while driving around North Canterbury.

Mel Eaton’s cabinet designed piece named ‘Urban Oasis’ was aiming to transform a simple utility box into a lifelike fish tank, this artwork invites passersby to dive into an unexpected underwater world on King Street. Vibrant, colourful fish swim through the currents, their movements captured with realistic light refraction as well as delicate water droplets on the 'glass' adding to the illusion. The bright pops of aquatic life bring a splash of colour and serenity to Rangiora's streetscape

Monti Masiu design is named ‘Ngatu’ and reflects Tongan, Samoan, Fijian and cook island patterns forming a ngatu (tapa cloth) design.

Victoria Dowall designed her cabinet art piece ‘Midnight Flower Box’ with bright colourful flowers on a black background wrap around the chorus box. This image looks striking and eye catching against the fence behind it.

Chorus is partnering with the Waimakariri District Council to transform these cabinets, and artists are encouraged to get their designs in before the application closing date each year, with the winning artists required to have it completed by 30 March the following year.

The Waimakariri District Council has been working with the Public Arts Trust to select the winning design for each cabinet.  Information can be found on Chorus’ dedicated webpage, where existing murals can also be viewed.

These cabinets become works of art, often telling stories about the communities in which they are located and helping to discourage tagging. Waimakariri has also been chosen as one of the towns nationwide to be part of the Rainbow cabinet art initiative, promoting diversity and inclusion.

The main criteria for considering a cabinet as a candidate for artwork is the frequency of tagging, as the mural becomes cost effective through eliminating cleaning costs. However other avenues are also considered, such as community or council requests and involvement.

This programme, originally started by Chorus in Auckland in 2010 to reduce tagging, has proven successful and has been extended across the country. The main criteria for selecting a cabinet for artwork is the frequency of tagging, making the murals cost-effective by eliminating cleaning costs. Community or council requests and involvement are also considered.

Keep an eye out for these beautiful artworks around town!

This cabinet art was designed by Jane Reid and is located on Sandown Boulevard in Rangiora.

This cabinet art was designed by Mel Eaton and is located on the corner of King Street and South Belt in Rangiora.

This cabinet art was designed by Monti Masiu and is located near 23 Weka Street in Oxford.

This cabinet art was designed by Victoria Dowall and is in Kaiapoi Lakes East Reserve.