Awa Art Action

About this programme

How can making art help us care for and protect our awa? 

This lesson blends science, art and te ao Māori, inviting ākonga to engage with the wellbeing of their local awa or wetlands; and the life these dynamic ecosystems sustain. 

Anchored in the immersive exhibition Toiaa Taiao: Whiria ko te iwi tuna which follows a local awa and the impact created when a videographer, composer, and Māori river guardian unite to protect it, students will experience stunning video installations of tuna (eels) and their ecosystems. 

Beneath the water soundscapes, ākonga will work together through a word game that reveals what harms our waterways and which actions restore balance. Through looking, smelling, listening, and feeling, learners explore the tohu (indicators) that show the mauri and health of an awa. 

Students will craft powerful messages using bio-charcoal and dye on recycled card, giving voice to their awa and the creatures who depend on it.