Post-it note art beautifying Auckland buildings

Post-it art in central Auckland
Post-it art in central Auckland

It's a craze that started in New York and is now going global that involves the humble Post-it note.

Ad agencies in the Big Apple were the first to display the mosaic-style pictures in their windows, and now Auckland is the latest city to raid the stationary cupboard in the name of art.

Look high above the streets of central Auckland and there is an art gallery emerging. There's no oil or canvas -- just Post-it notes, clear glass and healthy competition.

"As you stand back in this building and look across and see the art being created, it becomes something that draws you in, and just that competitive edge -- if they put something up, then we had to do something better," says Chris Cunniffe, CEO of Tax Management NZ.

New Zealand Superfund, based in the Zurich building in central Auckland, laid down the gauntlet with a simple Space Invader, before the facing office in the HSBC building took the bait.

"Come and see our collection of window art. We have Sonic the Hedgehog and Cartman from South Park," says Mr Cunniffe.

All the staff at Tax Management NZ are now hooked, ordering in extra Post-it notes and searching for fresh ideas.

And with the extra demand for a basic piece of stationary, now the suppliers are getting in on the action -- OfficeMax is trying to stick it to Warehouse Stationary.

"We have no vested interest in this at all. We haven't noticed Post-it note sales going up just yet, but lots of people are getting involved," says Kevin Obern, managing director of OfficeMax NZ.

"I'd imagine for those who manufacture Post-it notes it can only be a good thing, but get in quick because some of the colours are running out already."

So what started on a single street in New York has spread through Manhattan and now as far away as Auckland.

The question is: is this a passing fad, or will we stick with it?

Newshub.