Late last year the outside walls of the Whānau Block were painted with a fantastic street art mural designed by Aimee Mahuta (Ngāti Mahuta), a kaiako of Physical Education and Health at our kura. Aimee worked with a small group of Māori students to spray paint the design in Term 4.

Aimee is a past student of Te Puna Wai o Waipapa (Hagley) and spent a lot of time in the Whānau Block during her former time here. She was inspired to give the Whānau Block a new face to increase its presence in our kura. Aimee has incredible talents in street art and decided to use this style as it resonates with youth, reflecting the youth demographic that makes up part of our kura.

Regarding the design on the carpark side, Aimee says: “I wanted to illustrate that history here with the waka, the tāne and the wahine working together to tame the taniwha. This translates into the objective of youth here at Te Puna Wai o Waipapa. You must give it all your strength to be rewarded with what you desire...what you need...to live fully in this life. We as a kura offer you the skills (tools); your taura (rope)...your hei matau (fish hook)...”

On the street side of the whare, the design reflects the four kaitiaki (guardians) of Hagley’s four values from the right: Whakamarumaru (Responsibility), Mana (Respect), Tika (Integrity), and Whakawhirinaki (Trust), with the tuakana-taina image of an older fern sheltering the younger fern on the left.

Since completing the project Aimee has had nothing but positive feedback. The end result is truly impressive and has given mana to the Whānau Block and our collective bicultural work at Te Puna Wai o Waipapa. Our kura is very grateful to Aimee for her mahi. Nei rā te mihi nui ki a koe, Aimee.