Delightful new murals by Eastern Bay artist Dannika Tukua have transformed spaces at Whakatāne Hospital’s children’s ward, bringing colour, comfort and a sense of calm to young patients and their whānau.

The two large-scale works have been unveiled in the Children’s Day Clinic reception and the children’s surgical ward.

In the day clinic waiting room, a pōhutukawa tree stands alongside Moutohorā Island. Native birdlife – kiwi, kingfisher and ruru – feature, while a familiar face peeks out too: Harold the Giraffe.

Harold, the well-known mascot of Life Education Trust Eastern Bay of Plenty, and the trust’s chairman, John Spring, and his mother, Helen Spring, have sponsored the murals, alongside The Whakatāne Community Health Trust.

In the surgical ward, Tukua has created an underwater world designed to soothe and distract.

“I don’t think there is anything more calming than water,” she said.

“The mural is playful, fun and quirky, but also gives a nod to some of New Zealand’s special sea life, including the little blue penguin and Māui dolphin.”

Tukua said she wanted children to feel calm from the murals.

“I’ve spent a bit of time in hospital myself, so I understand what it’s like to sit in a room with blank walls, feeling worried about your own health or the wellbeing of a loved one.”

She and her four-year-old daughter Lani spent time in the ward when Lani was unwell.

“It was a very worrying time for us, and I cannot speak highly enough of the staff who blew us away with their compassion and love for children.

“When we were discharged, Lani and I returned with some art prints for the ward to thank the doctors and nurses for their very special care and aroha.”

When she was asked by the nursing manager if she was keen to splash some colour around the ward, the answer was a big “yes”.

“I hope this mural brings brightness to kids and their whānau during what can be really tough moments,” said Tukua.

“I love creating murals, especially for community spaces. Art invites people to pause – to reflect, feel inspired, or simply take their mind off what they might be going through.

“If a mural can give someone even a moment of calm or joy, that’s incredibly meaningful to me.”

Spring said he and his mum were thrilled to help bring the project to life.

“I saw an article about Dannika painting the Transpower electrical boxes and she was keen to do something in the children’s ward but needed sponsorship,” he said.

“I got in touch with her, said I was happy to help out, and that got the project up and running.”

He is particularly pleased Harold the Giraffe now has a presence in the hospital.

“It will be awesome for the kids when they go to hospital and see a friend like Harold that they know and love,” he said.

“Harold shares this great message about healthy living, getting help when you need it, and being friendly and caring. It will help ease their anxiety.”

Tukua hopes this will be the first of many similar projects in community spaces across the region.

More of her work can be viewed at www.artbydannikatukua.org.