Honouring Wāhine Toa

This mural celebrates the lives, achievements, legacies and impact of a group of influential, changemaking wāhine toa from Christchurch's history.

The women featured in the mural were carefully selected to include equitable representation, each having achieved significant milestones for wāhine and having made significant change within our communities. These women are Neroli Fairhall, Erihapeti Rehu-Murchie, Wharetutu Te Aroha Stirling, Airini Ngā Roimata Grennell Gopas and Elsie Locke.

The artists designed and produced the mural with guidance from a local working panel. Ōtautahi Christchurch is now part of that long lasting legacy, with an incredible mural that has come to life thanks to Hine te Hiringa – Empower Women Utilising FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 fund.

In addition, the mural is significant in the year it was created, which marked the 130th anniversary women won the right to vote in New Zealand. The first female Prime Minister for New Zealand. the Right Hon. Dame Jenny Shipley spoke at the keynote event.