Te Whau Pathway Project’s 7th Holidays Art Programme, Autumn 2024
Our seventh art programme, with 27 budding artists from 16 different schools, took place at the fabulous Te Atatu Boat Club in Te Atatū South. The programme provided an enriching opportunity for 9 to 13-year-olds to connect with their local environment, explore their creativity, and make new friends and lasting memories through diverse artistic endeavours.
Tamariki were excited to have the opportunity to learn about – and play with – our logo that was created by Tyler Taua-Gordon (Te Kawerau ā Maki). The logo was inspired by Robin Taua-Gordon’s words, that also guided design elements of the pathway.
Kei te Ngau te Whau – The wandering Whau
Te Hau o te Whau – The essence of the Whau
Te Au o te Whau – The current of the Whau
Te Rau o te whau – Referring to the leaf of the whau
During the holiday programme, the logo became a launch pad for kaiako to teach tamariki about the Whau awa, the pathway and its history.
The week began with a trip to the West Auckland Resource Centre where tamariki learnt about creating art from recycled and repurposed materials. The grand plan was to use some of the artwork at future Te Whau Pathway Project events, bunting of course was at the top of the list!
Local creative Dominique Crawford showed kids how to hot-press the logo outline onto recycled material. They then embellished the logo outline using a variety of artistic techniques – decorating, colouring, embroidering.
Later on, Ahi Nyx joined the children to make some rope with them from harakeke. Together they hung the bunting from the harakeke rope – an entire length of ten metres! Te rawe hoki!
Watch out for this magical bunting with our new Whau leaf logo at a future Te Whau Pathway Project event near you!
Shout outs
Thank you to Deahne Stone and Whau the People for delivering such an exciting week-long programme to these budding artists! So much potential.
Big shout out also to Lexi and Nataliyah! These creative wāhine assisted D with the tamariki, alongside Maia and Mischa – two young creatives on work-experience care of the generosity of the Whau Local Board. Our tamariki loved having these young wāhine in this creative space to learn from and have fun with!
Creatives
Meet the artists inspiring our local neighbourhoods.
Deahne Stone
“I’m Deahne. People call me D. I’m from Avondale but I’m lucky to be able to work with tamariki making art and creating change in schools around the West. I LOVE creativity, art and making things and I was super excited for us to get creating together.”
Ahi Nyx (Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Raukawa)
A Whau based artist and the director/creator of Ahi Raranga Ltd. Known for hand woven harakeke toanga and raranga wananga she is extending her practice to help reconnect to traditional Māori harvesting practices.
Her creativity comes from a deep spiritual connection to Papatūānuku and Taneatua. Through her whakapapa, she holds onto raranga practices which she continues to weave with mana. Her haerenga through raranga has healed and reconnected her and many others through wananga and the woven pieces that she makes.
Photo gallery
About this event
| Date | 15th – 19th April 2024 |
| Location | Te Atatu Boating Club, Te Atatū South |
| Type of event | School holiday programme (Arts) |
| Funder | Te Whau Pathway Project, Whau Local Board (for sponsorship of work experience rangatahi) |
| Who | Whau the People, kids from Avondale Intermediate, Avondale Primary School, Edendale Primary School, Elim Christian College, Freyberg Community School, Jireh Christian School, Pasadena Intermediate, Ponsonby Primary School and Swanson School. |
| Kaupapa | To connect kids with their environment and river through creativity, giving them an appreciation for their community’s unique cultural, natural and historic heritage, while encouraging imaginative expression and collaboration. |
