Matt Willey.
Scout Bee 2025
Timaru has become the first town in New Zealand to join The Good of the Hive, a global art initiative by New York artist Matt Willey. The project aims to paint 50,000 bees – the average number in a healthy hive – in murals around the world to highlight themes of health, community, and human connection.
Willey recently arrived in Timaru to paint a scout bee on the ANZ Bank building at Strathallan Corner. This bee joins 11,000 others that Willey has painted in 60 murals across 10 countries on five continents. He typically spends four to six weeks in each location, engaging with the community through events and discussions, using the mural as a way to foster connection.
His visit to Timaru was prompted by an exchange with a local artisan involved in a bee-themed community art project. Inspired by the shared passion for bees and public art, Willey decided to make Timaru part of his journey. A larger mural is under consideration, with approvals and funding currently being sought.
The project began in 2008 when a single bee entered Willey’s New York studio. He spent hours observing the bee before it died, prompting him to research colony collapse disorder and its devastating impact. This encounter became the catalyst for his mission. Willey believes bees offer lessons for humanity – they are not defined by race, gender, or politics, and their survival depends on the collective well-being of the hive rather than the individual.