Mural Masterpieces - Te Kura O Kokohuia, Wanganui

Location:
Te Kura O Kokohuia, Wanganui.

Team:
Cheyden Waitai (Year 13, 7th Former), Pou Toru Art Class and friends, Robert Emery (art teacher) and Aroha Henry.

Accessible to public:
Yes.

Mural theme:
Rangatahi Maori (Maori Youth).

Background to mural creation:
Rangatahi Maori was designed with the following aspects of being a Young Maori in today's world in mind: Culture, Education and Society. Each one of these aspects impacts on who we are and why we do things.

Culture - What is central to Maori culture is the links that are made with the past, present and future. The first thing that enables one to do this is Whakapapa, genealogy. The mountains and river represent the iwi and hapu to which all students at Te Kura O Kokohuia have a common connection.

Education - Knowledge is power! Knowledge is freedom! Maori youth are encouraged to pursue education for the purposes of creating a bright future. In the old world knowledge was considered tapu or sacred. These days it is taken for granted. As technology advances one must rise up and bring to fruition goals and dreams.

Society - Society is sometimes very difficult for young people. For Maori Youth it can be ten times as difficult - the expectations are high and when they are not met then it can have a negative effect on rangitahi. Society tries to teach us about tolerance, but often it needs to learn this lesson as well.

The bird in the corner of the mural is a Hula bird from which Te Kura or Kokohuia takes its name. For ancient Maori the Huia bird was considered a prize possession. Chiefs and highly born tribeswomen and men wore the feathers of the Huia bird to represent their mana. While it is extinct, the students of Te Kura o Kokohuia keep its spirit alive.

The mural is about being positive in Maoritangi and Rangatahitanga - building on the foundations of ancestors with pride and mana.