kirameki san experiences sustained loss of traction

Later in 2025, the opportunity came up to be involved with the Tauranga Runway project at the Historic Village in (now get this!) Tauranga. Which in in New Zealand, for those who may be unaware. Hadn’t painted on a road before, so was a pretty nifty learning experience. Went for Sakura and Hibiscus mainly, looking at the experience of those who have come to NZ from other places, notably the Pacific (hibiscus) and Asia (sakura).

This was the last day of painting, taken from the balcony above Market & Main cafe.

…and this was how it started.

Here, an old man wields a paint roller.

This was the pre opening day gig. I wore shorts. Found it a bit cold.

Opening day itself proved much warmer. Shorts were definitely a good idea this time.

Chronology be damned! Back to when we were still rollin’. And rollin’ some more. This is Mike. Paint Guru.

The hibiscus are framed in a Maneki Neko outline. Not many people know that.

Here, a pair of old men seem quite pleased that the majority of rollin’ (and brushin’ of the outlines – that was the back and knee breaker) is behind them.