Mike and Linda Tupaea have been running the Ngā Toi Whakamanawaroa Arts Programme in schools for the last three years. It focuses on teaching values and life skills through Māori art and narratives.
Reported by Te Hiku media
“Don’t stop believing, keep going.”
By Danica MacLean is a reporter for the Northern Advocate
That’s what a mural created as part of a programme building resilience in youth, means to one of the boys who helped make it.
Treizarn Mahanga, 12, was one of 18 Year 8 boys from Manaia View School who helped create the mural as part of a programme called Ngā Toi WhakaMANAwaora.
He said he was proud yesterday when the mural, called Te Whare Tapu o Ngapuhi was blessed in front of the rest of the school and whanau.
As a part of the Ngapuhi Festival 18, held in Whangarei NZ, Mike Tupaea and Charles and Janine Williams collaborated on a live mural installation called “Ko wai koe” – Who you are. The mural was donated to Northland College upon completion. The imagery and symbols within the mural reflect the unique identity of the Northland College community. On 26th October the students, staff, local kaumatua and community warmly received the artists and mural at a special blessing ceremony. Mike, Charles and Janine would also like to acknowledge the contribution from Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi O Ngāpuhi towards mural materials and transportation costs.