Blue Cottage Daycare - Nature Mural by Jasmine Kroeze in Tauranga

This mural for The Blue Cottage, an early learning centre in Pāpāmoa, was a special project for me—not only because of its focus on Aotearoa’s native flora and fauna but also because my eldest child attended the centre. The team was drawn to my nature-inspired designs, having first discovered my work through a cushion collection I created for Bolt of Cloth. They wanted a mural that would transform their car park fence into a welcoming, vibrant feature—something that could be seen from the busy Tara Road and reflect the land’s rich history. The mural begins with harakeke (flax), paying tribute to the whenua where the centre is built, then transitions into a coastal scene with toi toi and bunny tails, capturing the essence of Pāpāmoa’s nearby dunes and moana. Bringing this vision to life was an honour—especially knowing it would be enjoyed by the kids and whānau, as well as the wider community.