Christchurch rec centre gets Kiwiana touch

Christchurch rec centre gets Kiwiana touch

Street artist Dcypher has returned to his roots, spray painting a Kiwiana-inspired mural in his hometown of Christchurch this week.

Christchurch City Council invited the Kiwi, who's now based in Los Angeles, to paint the mural on the Wharenui Recreation Centre.

Dcypher, real name George Ellis, outlined his sketch late Tuesday night and began spray painting Wednesday morning. The design features New Zealand icons such as Frosty Boy, a tiki and a buzzy bee, as well as Sesame Street's Cookie Monster.

George Shaw from Oi YOU! says street art has had a positive effect on post-quake Christchurch.

"Christchurch is getting a global reputation, so that's fantastic."

The damaged centre was closed after the 2011 earthquakes. After strengthening and repair work, it's now reopening on July 1, reaching 100 percent of the new building standards.

One local Newshub spoke to said she was excited for her children to walk past it each day on their way to school.

The centre will host a range of sports and community events.

If the rain holds off, the mural is expected to be completed midway through next week.

Newshub.