A mural of a Māori Jesus at a Dunedin primary school has been painted over in what the principal believes was a racist attack.
St Joseph’s Cathedral School principal Jo Stanley says she arrived at school to find the new mural had been fully covered in white paint.
The mural was painted by Dunedin artist Aroha Novak of Ngai Te Rangi and Ngati Kahungunu.
Jesus was depicted wearing a korowai with designs created by the pupils.
Novak told the Otago Daily Times the rainbow halo for Jesus was also the pupils’ idea.
She said the aim was to have an accessible piece of artwork for everyone that reflected the school’s Maori and Catholic values.
