The Waitaki District Youth Council engaged in some sanctioned vandalism on Monday, adding their own improvements to the Harbourside Gardens upgrade.

The under-appreciated gardens alongside the Ōamaru Creek have been given some extra TLC lately, with local artist Wicksey contributing his time and talent to deliver an “Ōamaru” mural. 

The seating area and pergola have also received a lick of paint, and as a finishing touch, a series of messages were added yesterday by the 2024 Youth Council, to the community. 

The messages are written on the benches and allocated spots on the mural, and have been future-proofed with a coat of varnish.

The Youth Council has a budget for community improvements, and were also behind the addition of the colourful multicultural welcome messages to the Waitaki District Council steps on Thames Street.

Also at the Harbourside Gardens, the teens hope to create an Instagram-able space to encourage locals and tourists to share their love of the place.

Waitaki Girls’ High School pupil and 2024 Youth Council chair Sophie Notman said the Ōamaru mural is a great way to highlight different aspects of the community.

“Everyone in Ōamaru can relate to one or more of the words written on the cool mural,” she said.

“Huge thanks to Wicksey for taking on this project, it has brightened up the once-dull space. It is now a great attraction and space for locals and tourists to hang out.”

Waitaki District Councillor Rebecca Ryan said the project is a great way to start the year for the new Youth Council, “bringing some vibrancy to an area of town that might not be as appreciated as it could be”. 

“The 2023 Youth Council started this project, and the 2024 Youth Council is finishing it – it shows a nice continuity for their work,” she said.

Matthew Wicks offers some guidance as to where the teens should "tag" his Ōamaru mural.