11/02/2026
New mural on Mountains to Sea route reflects Whanganui's past
The part of the shared cycle/walkway that goes past Imlay off Balgownie Ave is being transformed thanks to a long mural being painted by the ‘Flawsome Artist’ Michelle Sigley, who has lost count of the number of murals she has painted around Whanganui. It is part of the Mountains to the Sea Trail.
The mural was the idea of Barry Bailey of the Rotary Club of Whanganui North. The walls of the alleyway “were unpainted wood, subject to graffiti and boring,” he says. He approached the club and got permission to approach Michelle. This led to a proposal to the Street Art committee of Council, and funding was received.
Rotary members gave the walls a coat of white paint in preparation for Michelle.
It was agreed to use images from the books on Whanganui history published by H&A, with their permission. Fitting in with the Imlay and the industrial area of Heads Road, pictures of transportation, including a sailing ship and industrial sites, were chosen to be painted in black and white. They will include a border representing old 35m contact negative strips.
It is a long stretch, and Michelle has been working hard when the weather has been suitable. It should be finished very soon. Michelle has other murals to move on to – at the Gonville shopping centre and a couple of schools, as well as preparing work for the NZ Art Show in Wellington in late May.
The Street Art Committee has agreed that the other side of the walkway should also be painted with the same theme. Michelle says, “I’m planning to start this near the end of the year.”
