Toi Rama

Artslink - Between the Spine
and Performing Studio

Toi Rama – Inspiring Tamariki Through Art is an arts-based programme delivered by the education team at Pātaka. Following a successful pilot in 2024, this programme draws on the connection between art, art making and wellbeing. Across Terms two and three of 2026, ākonga from Cannon’s Creek School were offered different experiences, including engaging with artworks, taonga and exhibitions presented at Pātaka, visiting environmental sites across Wellington, and hearing from mana whenua at cultural locations across Porirua.

Drawing on those experiences, the tamariki have produced a series of artworks. These artworks demonstrate a range of techniques and processes that embed their learning across the programme. Significantly, these artworks also celebrate art making as a vehicle for tamariki to express themselves, where they live, their relation to the environment, their connections with each other and how they see themselves as artists.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank our partners for supporting this programme including Cannon’s Creek School, Enviroschools, Porirua City Council Parks, Play teams, and Community & Partnerships, Zealandia, and Graley Plastics and Laser Cutting for their generous sponsorship of the cyanotype activity.

Image: Student artwork Cannon’s Creek School, Mandala 2026