New creative space adds vibrancy to Manukorihi

Space has had an immediate impact on the school and community

A Creative Spaces Road Art Project at the Manukorihi School has been labeled a great success.

The project was made possible through a grant from the Taranaki Electricity Trust and Acting Principal Nicky Niwa said that the whole school had been captured by the project. "This initiative has had a profound and positive impact on our kura and the wider community," Nicky said.

"Our tamariki were empowered to share their voices through colour, design, and storytelling on the very roads they walk each day. The artwork has not only brightened our physical environment but also created a stronger sense of identity, pride, and belonging among our ākonga."

Students were heavily involved in the design which reflects local stories, the whenua and values. The wider community had also been engaged, which "opened up rich conversations about place, belonging, and expression."

"The Road Art has made our school’s physical environment more vibrant and welcoming, while also improving road safety and visibility around key crossing areas. It has become a beacon of creativity and connection in our neighbourhood," Niwa concluded.