One of New Zealand's most famous and controversial paintings is on display at Tauranga Art Gallery.

Colin McCahon's Urewera Mural is on display for the next three months.

Tauranga Art Gallery director Penelope Jackson discusses Colin McCahon's famous painting with the gallery trust chairman Graeme Horsley.

Tauranga Art Gallery Trust chairman Graeme Horsley describes it as a unique piece.

'I don't think there's a painting that's had the history that this painting has had,” says Graeme.

The Lake Waikeremoana Visitor Centre Board approached Colin McCahon to create the painting in the 1970s.

It was taken from the centre in 1997 by Tuhoe Maori as a form of protest over land confiscation.

Tauranga Art Gallery director Penelope Jackson says Colin McCahon is one of New Zealand's greatest artists.

'The painting has huge significance in terms of our history and the Urewera history,” says Penelope.

She says the painting became embroiled in controversy before it was even completed.

McCahon and the visitor centre board clashed over wording to be used in the mural's top left corner.

He then refused to continue painting the work.

The two parties came to a compromise and the work on the painting resumed.

'What's important with McCahon is that every word is deliberate. Not just the meaning but the size.

'It is a very spiritual work. Everything has another layer,” says Penelope.

She would not reveal the painting's worth.

It is owned by the Department of Conservation, but is currently in the care of the Auckland Art Gallery.