Auckland street artist 'at war' with taggers who keep vandalising his work
An Auckland street artist says he is “at war” with taggers who keep vandalising his work.
Jesse Jensen, who paints under the name Ares Artifex, has painted murals across Auckland, including for Auckland Council, the Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Justice.
The West Auckland resident said work like his helped to beautify ugly places, such as bare walls and construction sites.
However, this year Jensen has been battling “toys”, or graffiti artists who tag over someone else’s art with the intention of wrecking it. One of his pieces in Henderson has been tagged about 30 times.
Jensen said that while it was frustrating for him and his clients when his art was vandalised, he had empathy for the taggers and understood why they did it: to lash out at someone who had permission to paint legally.
He believed Auckland Council could curb offensive tagging if it provided more space for graffiti artists to paint legally. The council said it trialled this in the past, however the graffiti had spread onto adjacent properties.
Click 'read more' for the full story.
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
-
10.1% Yes! New Year, New Me
-
20% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
-
69.9% Nah - not for me
Help Needed: Peat, Straw, and Moisture Control for Tiger Worms in Castor Bay
Hello, neighbors! I’m in Castor Bay and currently caring for my tiger worms. I’ve encountered some moisture issues and am looking for materials like peat, straw, or anything that can help with moisture absorption. I’d also appreciate any advice on preventing clogging in the drainage pipe to ensure proper drainage. If anyone has extra peat, straw, or can share some helpful tips, I’d be really grateful! Thank you so much for your support, especially during the holiday season
Best wishes,
Diana
🎉The Riddler wants to hear from you 🫵
🧩 Got a riddle that can stump your Neighbourly community? Share your brain teasers with us and watch your neighbours scratch their heads 😕🤔❓
Send us your tricky puzzles!
Loading…
