Honouring Legacy in Paint

Murals
Written By Daniel Dean Allen

Four New Murals for Upper Hutt Tigers Rugby League Club

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of completing another mural wall for the Upper Hutt Tigers Rugby League Club — four portraits painted on the papatākaro side of the building, honouring men who wore both the Tigers jersey and represented Aotearoa as New Zealand Kiwis.

Each wall stands as a tribute to:

  • Dave Ewe – A powerful forward who represented the Kiwis in the 1970s, known for his strength and commitment in the pack.

  • Esene Faimalo – A dynamic loose forward who played for the Kiwis during the 1980s and brought flair and toughness to every game.

  • Mark Woods – A skilled and determined representative player who carried both club pride and national responsibility.

  • Peter Edwards – A strong presence on the field, contributing at both club and international level during his career.

These men are more than athletes. They represent commitment, sacrifice, leadership, and pride — values that continue to shape the Tigers club culture today.

This wasn’t my first time painting for the Tigers. Back in 2022, I created my first community mural for the club, honouring:

  • Syd Eru

  • Mike Kuiti

  • Morvin Edwards

  • Kevin Tamati

That project was my first real taste of how public art can positively impact a community. I’ll share more about that journey in a future post, but it changed something in me. I saw firsthand how art can uplift, affirm identity, and give people something tangible to feel proud of.

This latest mural wall was blessed by local kaumātua Georgie Hinaki during the club’s 65th anniversary celebrations. Past and present players gathered alongside whānau and friends. There was laughter, storytelling, remembrance — and deep pride.

I had the opportunity to speak and express my gratitude to the club for trusting me to help honour the legacy of these men. To contribute in some small way to something that carries decades of history means a lot to me.

One moment that will stay with me forever was watching a whānau stand before one of the portraits and deliver a haka to their loved one as he stood beside his mural. It was powerful. Raw. Beautiful. In that moment, the wall was no longer paint and concrete — it was living memory.

Seeing the reaction to the work reminded me why I create.

Knowing that I can contribute positively to a community through art — that’s what drives me. Whether it’s murals, prints, or comics, my goal is always the same: to honour legacy, tell stories well, and leave something behind that strengthens people.

I’m grateful to the Upper Hutt Tigers for the opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to create work that uplifts our communities.

Daniel Dean Allen https://danieldeanallen.com