This photo series captures the vibrant bunting created by over 60 young artists from across the Whau catchment. Exploring their creativity and collaborating on public art, tamariki repurposed materials to craft bunting inspired by the Te Whau Pathway Project logo, designed by Tyler Taua-Gordon (Te Kawerau ā Maki).

The logo and artworks aim to reflect the Whau River’s essence, movement, and natural forms, echoing Robin Taua-Gordon’s guiding words:

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

The project began with a visit to the West Auckland Resource Centre, where tamariki learned about sustainability by repurposing materials. Using hot-pressing, embroidery, and mixed-media techniques, they transformed recycled fabric into unique bunting. Ahi’s plaited harakeke (flax) was woven into the bunting, bringing a natural element to the work and reinforcing the connection between art, whenua, and the Whau River. The finished pieces are now displayed as part of OFFTRACK—a public art destination celebrating our shared pathways and playful explorations beyond the beaten track.

This exhibition is the first in a series of six exhibitions celebrating the intersections between community, environment, and creative expression centred around the Whau awa. We invite our creative communities to contact us about future exhibitions that explore themes of connection, movement, sustainability, and the evolving relationship between people and place.