A new outdoor artwork in Ōhope is drawing attention from passersby.

Eastern Bay artist Tania Akehurst is busy painting a Chorus electrical box – located in the busy vicinity of the Ōhope cafes.

“I am painting the trees at the bottom of the Ōhope hill. It is those big pohutukawa trees that all the kids play in,” she said.

The painting is done in Akehurst’s colourful and vibrant abstract style, with lots of yellow, orange and brown hues. When complete, it will show nine children having fun in and around the trees. She said it was her first outdoor mural.

“My fascination is with the children, not so much with the tree. Maybe centuries of children have been playing there.”

The work is expected to be complete in about two weeks.

“It is a very busy little place, people have been walking by, running, going for coffees,” she said.

The work is funded by Chorus and the Whakatāne District Council.