Wai Ora, Water Life

Wai Ora, Water Life is an annual art and environment project developed in partnership with Ngā Manu Nature Reserve. Working with schools across Kāpiti supported by local artists, poets and film-makers over several months, each year focuses on a different theme in the environment. Ngā Manu is 5kms from Toi MAHARA in a rare coastal lowland forest opposite Kāpiti Island. Manu, birds, flourish here, while the original waterways of this coastal landscape are gradually being restored.

Tamariki start the project with a day-trip to Ngā Manu Reserve, with guided walks through the ngahere to experience and learn more about te taiao, the natural world, in a hands-on way. After lunch and eel-feeding—always a highlight!—their bus trip continues to the gallery to explore ideas and expression in various media and exhibitions.

Back in their classrooms tamariki are guided through art and poetry workshops with skilled practitioners and educators who encourage and support their creative responses to their experiences. Their mahi toi is recorded in photographs and film, then brought into the gallery for an exhibition and the launch of a pukapuka, book, recording and celebrating their mahi. The project is generously supported by the Philipp Family Foundation, and working with sculptor Michelle Walton, poet Apirana Taylor, and film-makers Himiona Grace and Julia Truscott of Wai Ata Studios.