Originally published in Waikato Times, Saturday 15 November 2025.
By Mike Mather.
Art critic, collector and philanthropist Nancy Caiger - who has sponsored the part of the Waikato Regional Theatre known as the Caiger Landing - is thrilled Ralph Hotere's mural is now on display there. PHOTO: Kelly Hodel / WAIKATO TIMES.
It’s arguably Hamilton’s most significant artwork. It was probably the most unloved - for a while at least - and it is almost certainly the most valuable.
And now the iconic, large scale mural - created in 1973 by famed New Zealand artist Ralph Hotere and installed in the now-demolished Founders Theatre - has been placed inside its “forever home” in the Waikato Regional Theatre.
It’s the latest major development in an increasingly exciting series of developments, which will come to a head when the new theatre opens on January 19 with three nights of community-led celebrations.
Soon after will be the official launch event in the form of a concert by the acclaimed musician Teeks, followed by a sold-out show by the revered Dave Dobbyn - who has just added a second show the following night.
Other momentous events have been taking place at the theatre this week. The acclaimed Wonder Horse cocktail bar, freshly relocated from further up Victoria St, has opened its doors in the downstairs hospitality area and is serving up fine libations.
The unnamed Hotere mural will be familiar to many Hamiltonians from its time hanging in the Founders’ foyer.
The 8.5 metre-wide mural is now firmly attached to the wall made of Hinuera Stone in the theatre, and is on “permanent loan” from the Hamilton City Council. PHOTO: Kelly Hodel / WAIKATO TIMES.
It had been commissioned by the Hamilton City Council and the Queen Elizabeth II arts council for the sum of $3000, and was unveiled in August 1973.
There it remained until Founders Theatre was hurriedly closed in 2016 due to safety concerns over the dilapidated flying system above the main stage and the building’s ability to withstand a large earthquake.
The Hotere mural was plucked from the wall and put into storage, waiting for the day it could be hung in Founder’s successor, the city’s soon-to-be-opened $80 million theatre.
That day has now come.
The mural is now dominantly on display in the main river-side foyer of the $80 million theatre, immediately above an area called the Caiger Landing - named after Hamilton art critic, collector and philanthropist Nancy Caiger, who sponsored it.
And Caiger herself couldn’t be happier.
“It’s been far too long for this piece to have been out of the public eye. Now here it is, in its forever home.
Artist Ralph Hotere, pictured in August 1973 with the mural he had just completed and installed in Founders Theatre.
“I love how the work incorporates a representation of the Waikato River. And now it directly overlooks the river. It is almost like the river in the artwork is flowing out and becoming part of the river outside.”
A decade ago, the mural was insured for $1.5m. It’s value now is a shade over $3m.
But it’s not possible for some enterprising thief to come in, pluck it from the wall and saunter off with it. For a start, at 10 metres long and three metres high, it is simply too big and too heavy.
It’s also too well fixed in place.
“I hope that soon we can get some more art in here,” Caiger said. “It’s a fabulous space ... But let’s get the theatre finished and open first.”
All of the external lighting is now fully installed at the Waikato Regional Theatre, and the building is now a dramatic sight after dark. PHOTO: Mark Taylor / WAIKATO TIMES.
The mural’s history is now almost as colourful as the spectrum it incorporates.
Hotere's design was chosen from five finalists, which also included the likes of Colin McCahon and Paratene Matchitt.
The work comprises three panels. The horizontal blue lines along its length reference the Waikato River, while the vertical lines represent the multitude of activities that take place in a theatre: orchestras, opera, dance, kapa haka, bands and plays. The circles at the top represent the seven heavens, or the Matariki star cluster.
Hotere, who died in 2013, earned a host of honours and awards, including the Icon Award from the Arts Foundation of New Zealand; Te Taumata Award for outstanding leadership and service to Maori arts, and New Zealand's highest honour, membership of the Order of New Zealand.
This artist’s impression of the mural in place inside the new theatre, by Jasmax Architects, has proved to be a very accurate depiction.
But for years the mural was not so well-honoured. Founders Theatre staff stuck posters on top of it and furniture and boxes were stacked against it, causing chips and scuff marks to the paint.
In the 1990s the theatre staff wanted to be shot of it completely. They said they needed the space it took up for other more important things.
Reportedly dismayed by the shoddy treatment of his work, Hotere asked for it back.
However in 2000 the incoming director of the Waikato Museum of Art and History, Ray Thorburn, successfully argued for it to be kept where it was.
The popular Wonder Horse cocktail bar has relocated to the new theatre, which is nearing completion. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
Thorburn was also a celebrated artist who represented New Zealand with Hotere at the Biennial Art Awards in Brazil in 1971. He also happened to be a co-finalist in the Founders Theatre art competition that Hotere won in 1973.
In 2001 a $50,000 restoration of the battered mural was ordered by the city council and Hotere himself selected car spray-painter Keith Griffiths to do the job.
This was because the painting was originally done in nitrocellulose lacquer - a car paint.
“It’s been out of the public eye for far too long,” Caiger said. “It’s really fitting that this wonderful artwork is now here in this wonderful building.
“Everything about the new theatre is wonderful. I can’t wait to see my first symphony and my first opera here.
“The frontage is also absolutely beautiful ... It is a game-changer for this part of the city.
“I hope the rest of the building owners in Victoria St take the hint and spruce up their own properties.”
As well as the second Dave Dobbyn show on Sunday, January 25, another show has just been added to the ever-growing slate of events being scheduled for the theatre.
The extremely popular production Menopause: The Musical will be staged there on Tuesday, March 10. Featuring hit music from the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s, the show has been seen by more than 17 million people worldwide, been translated into nine languages and performed in more than 500 cities.
Hamilton is now the latest.
On January 29 a show titled Ready to Roll - featuring the New Zealand Bands Th’ Dudes, Mockers and Stellar is scheduled.
The Soweto Gospel Choir are performing on March 28 and Australian guitar maestro Tommy Emmanuel has a date at the theatre on May 19.
Tickets to all events - aside from the sold-out ones - are available through Ticketmaster.co.nz.