Graffiato is back for its 16th year and will be a little bit different this time around with all the artists working on the same laneway.

Eleven artists will be working on nine walls in the laneway behind Liquorland and Plateau on Tūwharetoa St.

There will be two international artists, two emerging locals and seven artists from around New Zealand whose backgrounds span the globe.

The artists will transform the laneway into a living canvas.

Town Centre Taupō general manager Julie McLeod says she hopes the new concept creates a real community vibe, allowing people to linger longer and watch several artists from a single point.

“Come for the art, pull up a chair and stay for the painting education and great banter.”

Ten new murals will be painted over this coming Labour Weekend, adding to more than 85 existing works around the town.

Sean Duffell, who made his debut as Artistic Director in 2025, is back on board, bringing his trademark passion to a festival he knows all too well.

He had a massive hand in ensuring last year’s event was a success, undercoating walls, painting his own mural, filling in square metre after square metre of blank space in the Nukuhau underpass and bringing positivity to everyone’s event experience.

“He is truly the engine that drives Graffiato,” Julie says.

One of the murals from Graffiato 2025, on the side of McDonalds Taupō. Photo: Olivia Moore - That Green Olive

The original idea behind the festival back in 2011 was to reduce tagging and it has morphed into one of New Zealand’s largest collections of street art.

“It’s amazing to see the local community, and Taupō visitors take advantage of this incredible opportunity to watch and engage with the creation of transformative works of art,” Sean says.

This year’s festival will include only two past Graffiato artists: Cinzah and Gina Kiel, with all of the others being given their first crack at painting in Taupō.

Some of the well-known newcomers from around New Zealand include Preehya, Theo Arraj and Faye Suzannah. They will be joined by Bean Wang and Razor Taser Laser.

The local debutants, who both volunteered at Graffiato in 2025, include Taupo-nui-a-Tia College student Taylor Tefono and geothermal scientist and art enthusiast Magili Moreau.

The full list of artists is Bean Wang, Codo, Cinzah, Faye Suzannah, Gina Kiel, Magili Moreau, Preehya, Razor Taser Laser, Stephanie Cartledge, Taylor Tefono & Theo Arraj.

There will be booths set up for artists to sell some of their prints and the portable speaker will help with the vibe.

“There’s always an awesome atmosphere around the town centre during Graffiato festival weekend – but this year will be even better with all of us in one place. As organisers, it’ll also make running the event a whole lot simpler than it has ever been,” Julie says.

The free festival runs from 8am on Saturday of Labour weekend until artists wrap up their sites late Monday afternoon.