Awa Art Action

This interactive lesson is ideal for schools invested in the wellbeing of their local awa or wetlands. Blending science, art, and te ao Māori, it deepens learners’ understanding of waterways and the life they 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 river guardian unite to protect it, students will experience stunning video installations of tuna (eels) and their ecosystems, accompanied by above- and below-water soundscapes.

Beneath these projections, ākonga will work together with 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.

In the Learning Centre, 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, responding to the important question; How do we keep the animals, plants, and people safe?