Launched in May, Auckland’s popular street art walking tour showcases 40 murals spanning four decades of creativity across the city centre. Now, the experience has an award-winning new star attraction at its heart.
Towering above the walkway between the NZ International Convention Centre and Horizon Hotel, the striking Tiaki Promise mural has captured international attention, earning an impressive five Best Design Awards pins: three gold, one silver and one bronze.
Believed to be a first for a mural project, Tiaki Promise received a bronze award for Design Communication, silver for Business Communication, and gold awards for Environmental Graphics, Design Craft / Computer Generated Imagery, and Toitanga.
The Best Design Awards are Australasia’s premier celebration of excellence across graphic, digital, motion, product and spatial design, recognising projects that push creative boundaries and make a lasting impact.
Particularly significant is the Toitanga Award, which recognises design projects that honour and celebrate Māori culture, values, storytelling and collaboration.
The mural was a collaborative initiative delivered by Auckland Council and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited in partnership with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Tiaki partners including Tourism New Zealand, Tourism Industry Aotearoa and the Department of Conservation.
The award-winning mural was brought to life by Anzac Tasker, Kereama Taepa, Poi Ngawati, Ross Liew, Barbara Holloway, Kingi Makoare, Ben Harrison, Mark Wilson and Kayla Williams.
Barbara Holloway, an Economic Development Office placemaking lead at Auckland Council, says the mural is a powerful addition to the city centre.
"Seeing a 15-metre uplifting karakia in mural form, displayed high above this city laneway in both te reo Māori and English, is inspiring and truly groundbreaking."
Artist Anzac Tasker says the mural encourages reflection and shared responsibility.
"Tiaki embodies the responsibility we each hold to care for our home every day. This mural serves as both a visual statement and a call to action, inviting domestic and international visitors alike to move through this place with the mindset of guardians.
"It reflects shared values of protection, respect and belonging, and now stands proudly in the heart of Aotearoa’s largest city, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland."
Take the street art walk
A new walking tour celebrates iconic street art murals around Auckland’s city centre - 40 artworks painted over 40 years.
Supported by Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate, Auckland joins cites around the world where urban street art has evolved into a dynamic cultural form, transforming everyday concrete walls into open-air galleries.
Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson offers her sincere thanks to all of the artists.
“Their dedication and creativity do so much to enrich our city.
“I love that in a single walk through our city centre you can travel across four decades of stories. These murals don’t just decorate our walls - they transport us through our shared history. Each artwork is a reminder of who we are, where we’ve come from, and the many cultures that shape Tāmaki Makaurau,” she says.
Barbara Holloway is delighted to see this printed guide of 40 city centre artworks from the last 40 years including 16 works by mana whenua artists.
"Mural painting is now a hallmark of the urban experience globally but the expressions of identity captured here reflect the unique essence of Tāmaki Makaurau.
“These cultural markers painted by our creatives explore Māori culture and sovereignty, Pacific migration, protest, gender diversity, popular culture and the aesthetics of the city’s many ethnic groups," she says.
Three large light-based murals now adorn Cross Street - exploding off walls with neon light, bridging cultures, supporting the Pride community and challenging norms.
Sung Hwan ‘Bobby’ Park mural in Cross Street; photo credit @nicorosepenny.
Artist Sung Hwan ‘Bobby’ Park calls his mural a love letter to Aucklanders and New Zealanders in a time of global uncertainty.
“I wanted to acknowledge my upbringing in Aotearoa with Māori taniwha lores, Korean myths, and queer identity. I am creating a transcultural sanctuary - one that celebrates difference, and dares to imagine a world where wishes are granted and identities are protected,” he says.
More on these three Cross Street murals on OurAuckland.
#38 in the walking tour – Tiaki Promise 2026 by Anzac Tasker – painting in progress.
#36 in the walking tour - Otis Frizzell in alleyway off Durham Lane West – original mural was painted in 1986; refreshed in 2025.
The earliest mural in the 40-artwork tour dates back to 1986. Otis Frizzell reflects on the mural he created with his father Dick Frizzell 40 years ago in an alleyway off Durham Street West.
“The concept I gave Auckland Council at the time was to do a caricature of Queen Street. My favourite movie was ‘Beat Street’ back then so I called the mural Queen Street City Beat. I tried to cram all my favourite Auckland imagery onto the wall,” he said.
Frizzell completed a refresh of the mural in 2025.
More on OurAuckland and YouTube.
Find the street art map and guide here and the online gallery below: Tāmaki Makaurau | Street Art in the City Centre