Message spread at St Kilda

Usually the domain of sunbathers and seals, a large stretch of St Kilda Beach in Dunedin was transformed into a massive art canvas on Saturday.

Dunedin artist Tony Gillies, along with about about 50 ''rake pixies'', spent hours creating a 1.7km-long artwork promoting suicide awareness.

Rakes and sticks were all that was used to carve 685 giant hearts into the sand, representing the number of people who committed suicide in New Zealand last year.

A signwriter by trade, Mr Gillies travels New Zealand in his van and creates artworks wherever he goes.

The St Kilda mural was the largest artwork he had created so far.

By about 5.30pm the tide was washing the sand clear, which he described as beautiful and part of the whole experience.

Need help?
Healthline 0800 611 116
Lifeline Aotearoa 0800 543 354
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Samaritans 0800 726 666
Alcohol Drug Helpline 0800 787 797
General mental health inquiries: 0800 44 33 66
The Depression Helpline 0800 111 757