== History ==
== History ==
Kākano Youth Arts Collective is a collaborative art group for vulnerable youth in [[New Zealand|Aotearoa New Zealand]] aged between 12 and 20.<ref name=”:0″>{{Cite web|title=Kākano Youth Arts Collective|url=https://crestline.co.nz/kakano-youth-arts-collective/|website=Crestline|access-date=2025-12-01|language=en}}</ref> The collective has been based at [[Corban Estate Arts Centre]] since 2013<ref name=”:1″>{{Cite web|title=Dream comes true as Kākano Art Gallery opens in the heart of Henderson|url=https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2022/04/dream-comes-true-as-kakano-art-gallery-opens-in-the-heart-of-henderson/|website=OurAuckland|access-date=2025-12-01|language=en|last=OurAuckland}}</ref> and provides artistic opportunities for participants to improve self-confidence and discipline.<ref name=”:0″ />
Kākano Youth Arts Collective is a collaborative art group for vulnerable youth in [[New Zealand|Aotearoa New Zealand]].<ref name=”:0″>{{Cite web|title=Kākano Youth Arts Collective|url=https://crestline.co.nz/kakano-youth-arts-collective/|website=Crestline|access-date=2025-12-01|language=en}}</ref> The collective has been based at [[Corban Estate Arts Centre]] since 2013<ref name=”:1″>{{Cite web|title=Dream comes true as Kākano Art Gallery opens in the heart of Henderson|url=https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2022/04/dream-comes-true-as-kakano-art-gallery-opens-in-the-heart-of-henderson/|website=OurAuckland|access-date=2025-12-01|language=en|last=OurAuckland}}</ref> and provides artistic opportunities for participants to improve self- and .<ref name=”:0″ />
The name of the collective originates from the Māori term for ‘seed’, kākano, as well as growth, he kākano.<ref name=”:0″ /> This refers to the group’s overall aim of an inclusive environment where young people can grow.<ref name=”:0″ />
gallery became a shop with the financial assistance of Te Puni Kōkiri’s Rangatahi Manawaroa fund<ref name=”:3″>{{Cite web |date=21 September 2022 |title=Art as a Tool for Growth |url=https://www.tpk.govt.nz/en/mo-te-puni-kokiri/our-stories-and-media/art-as-a-tool-for-growth |access-date=4 December 2025 |website=Te Puni Kōkiri Ministry of Māori Development}}</ref>
began as pilot programme in 2013 by Mandy Patmore, who was CEAC’s education manager at the time – in response to those in the social work industry requesting art programmes for struggling youth in the community. since 2013 – 80 young artists have been through the programme<ref name=”:4″>{{Cite web |title=Kākano Youth Arts Collective celebrates 10 years of community impact! |url=https://thebigidea.nz/community-announcements/kakano-youth-arts-collective-celebrates-10-years-of-community-impact |access-date=2025-12-04 |website=thebigidea.nz |language=en}}</ref> Jermaine Reihana started there as a resident artist at the estate and then joined the programme in 2015.<ref name=”:2″ /><gallery>
File:Kākano Gallery 20230712 152801.jpg|Kākano Art Gallery, Henderson, 2023
File:Kākano Gallery 20230712 152801.jpg|Kākano Art Gallery, Henderson, 2023
File:Kākano Gallery 20230712 152744.jpg|Kākano Art Gallery, Henderson, 2023
File:Kākano Gallery 20230712 152744.jpg|Kākano Art Gallery, Henderson, 2023
</gallery>
https://thebigidea.nz/community-announcements/kakano-youth-arts-collective-celebrates-10-years-of-community-impact
began as pilot programme in 2013 by Mandy Patmore, who was CEAC’s education manager at the time – in response to those in the social work industry requesting art programmes for struggling youth in the community. since 2013 – 80 young artists have been through the programme
https://www.tpk.govt.nz/en/mo-te-puni-kokiri/our-stories-and-media/art-as-a-tool-for-growth
series of native bird murals were made – the first being at Henderson Railway Station, a pihupihu (waxeye)<ref name=”:5″>{{Cite web |last=Boynton |first=John |last2=Reporter |first2=Te Manu Korihi |date=2017-10-05 |title=Paint thieves hit Auckland mural project |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/340904/paint-thieves-hit-auckland-mural-project |access-date=2025-12-04 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}</ref>
gallery became a shop with the financial assistance of Te Puni Kōkiri’s Rangatahi Manawaroa fund
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/340904/paint-thieves-hit-auckland-mural-project
series of native bird murals were made – the first being at Henderson Railway Station, a pihupihu (waxeye)
23 large murals as part of The Henderson Youth Art Project (HYAP) – iniative between Auckland Council, Unitec, and the collective<ref name=”:6″>{{Cite web |title=Stuff |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/western-leader/69200723/mural-art-to-revitalise-henderson |access-date=2025-12-04 |website=www.stuff.co.nz}}</ref>
https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/western-leader/69200723/mural-art-to-revitalise-henderson
23 large murals as part of The Henderson Youth Art Project (HYAP) – iniative between Auckland Council, Unitec, and the collective
Zephyr Coffee x Kākano Youth Art Collective<ref name=”:7″>{{Cite web |title=COLLAB: Zephyr x Kākano Youth Arts Collective |url=http://www.zephyrcoffee.co.nz/blog/2024/9/4/collab-zephyr-x-kkano-youth-arts-collective |access-date=2025-12-04 |website=Zephyr Coffee Co. |language=en-US}}</ref>
https://www.zephyrcoffee.co.nz/blog/2024/9/4/collab-zephyr-x-kkano-youth-arts-collective
Zephyr Coffee x Kākano Youth Art Collective
Event: Kākano Youth Arts Collective Residency for Matariki – 28 June – 1 July 2021 – with Auckland Live at See.Do.Auckland Pop-up in Britomart train station – transformed into a studio space<ref name=”:8″>{{Cite web |last=Live |first=Auckland |title=Past Event {{!}} Kākano Youth Arts Collective Residency for Matariki |url=https://www.aucklandlive.co.nz/show/kakano-youth-arts-collective-residency-for-matariki |access-date=2025-12-04 |website=Auckland Live |language=en}}</ref>
https://www.aucklandlive.co.nz/show/kakano-youth-arts-collective-residency-for-matariki
Event: Kākano Youth Arts Collective Residency for Matariki – 28 June – 1 July 2021 – with Auckland Live at See.Do.Auckland Pop-up in Britomart train station – transformed into a studio space
https://thespinoff.co.nz/partner/15-05-2025/from-murals-to-yarn-bombs-meet-three-aucklanders-making-art-accessible-to-all
Jermaine Reihana started there as a resident artist at the estate and then joined the programme in 2015.
{| class=”wikitable”
{| class=”wikitable”
|+
|+
!Dates
!Dates
|-
|-
|”We Have Something To Say”
|”We Have Something To Say”
|Georgia, Lani, TJ and Eveyz
|Georgia, Lani, TJ and Eveyz
|Kākano Gallery
|Kākano Gallery
16 January – 17 February 2024
16 January – 17 February 2024
|-
|-
|”Zephyr Coffee x Kākano Youth Art Collective”
|”Zephyr Coffee x Kākano Youth Art Collective”
|Georgia Sykes and others
|Georgia Sykes and others
|Zephyr Coffee
|Zephyr Coffee
|}
|}
== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==
https://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2018/02/HM_20180220_AGN_7099_AT_WEB.htm
https://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2018/02/HM_20180220_AGN_7099_AT_WEB.htm
The collective have been recognised for their work with West Auckland youth by the Henderson-Massey Local Board in 2018 – helping those who struggle with mainstream education – community opportunities in mural work within the suburb in partnership with [[Unitec Institute of Technology|Unitec]] and [[Auckland Council]] – the ‘Henderson Youth Project’.
The collective have been recognised for their work with West Auckland youth by the Henderson-Massey Local Board in 2018 – helping those who struggle with mainstream education – community opportunities in mural work within the suburb in partnership with [[Unitec Institute of Technology|Unitec]] and [[Auckland Council]] – the ‘Henderson Youth Project’.
=== Career Development for Rangatahi ===
== References ==
== References ==
Kākano Youth Arts Collective is a collaborative art group and mentored programme for vulnerable youth in Aotearoa New Zealand.[1] The name of the collective originates from the Māori term for ‘seed’, kākano, as well as ‘growth’, he kākano.[1] This refers to the group’s overall aim of inclusivity and development of potential.[1] The collective has been based at Corban Estate Arts Centre since 2013[2] and provides artistic opportunities for participants to improve self-worth and and create a safe environment of belonging.[1]
A more recent development for the collective was the April 2022 opening of their Kākano Art Gallery located on Great North Road, Henderson.[2] The publicly accessible gallery supports their artists by giving them 80%[3] of the profits made from their work in the gallery.[2] A variety of displayable and wearable art items made by the collective’s artists are available.[2] Additionally experimental studio sessions are offered to young artists who want to try other artistic mediums.[2] The gallery was assisted in its opening by the Henderson-Massey local board, Eke Panuku Development Auckland, and Te Puni Kōkiri.[2]
gallery became a shop with the financial assistance of Te Puni Kōkiri’s Rangatahi Manawaroa fund[4]
they sell work at exhibitions annually – clients include Google, KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, local boards and council – when artworks are produced by the collective and sold, 80% of proceeds go back into the programme.[3]
began as pilot programme in 2013 by Mandy Patmore, who was CEAC’s education manager at the time – in response to those in the social work industry requesting art programmes for struggling youth in the community. since 2013 – 80 young artists have been through the programme[5] Jermaine Reihana started there as a resident artist at the estate and then joined the programme in 2015.[3]
-
Kākano Art Gallery, Henderson, 2023
-
Kākano Art Gallery, Henderson, 2023
studio sessions three times a week – regular mural and public art commissions offered across Auckland, free community art workshops led by the artists[5]
welcome 18 people 3 days a week – aged between 12 and 21[3]
they stay in the programme for however long they wish to[4]
group exhibition by four young wāhine artists – celebrating 10 years – ‘We Have Something To Say’ – featuring artists, Georgia, Lani, TJ, and Eveyz – works centred around resilience and embracing identity – Wednesday 20th December at Kākano Gallery[5]
series of native bird murals were made – the first being at Henderson Railway Station, a pihupihu (waxeye)[6]
around $700 worth of spray paint was stolen from corbans – so they started a fundraiser on their facebook page to continue[6]
23 large murals as part of The Henderson Youth Art Project (HYAP) – iniative between Auckland Council, Unitec, and the collective[7]
response to the council’s Graffiti Prevention Plan – reducing vandalism and graffiti in Henderson central[7]
mural on the corner of Alderman Drive and Great North Road, with Mandy Patmore, art educator and artist, and Unitec senior academic leader Bobby Hung.[7]
Zephyr Coffee x Kākano Youth Art Collective[8]
they created designs that were on Zephyr coffee bags for sale in their store – and limited edition merchandise for 18 months[8]
Georgia Sykes – 19 years old at the time – member of Kākano for 5 years – her design includes a native Kōtare bird and abstract background with shades of the coffee cherry – Kōtare was chosen to represent how the meaning of Zephyr “a gentle breeze, capturing a sense of freedom, courage, and adventure.”[8]
Event: Kākano Youth Arts Collective Residency for Matariki – 28 June – 1 July 2021 – with Auckland Live at See.Do.Auckland Pop-up in Britomart train station – transformed into a studio space[9]
led by artist Jermaine Reihana – installation up until mid-July – free to see[9]
| Project/Exhibition Title | Artists | Location | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| We Have Something To Say[5] | Georgia, Lani, TJ and Eveyz | Kākano Gallery | 20-23 December 2023
16 January – 17 February 2024 |
| Zephyr Coffee x Kākano Youth Art Collective[8] | Georgia Sykes and others | Zephyr Coffee | 2024?? |
Recognition & Further Opportunities
[edit]
https://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2018/02/HM_20180220_AGN_7099_AT_WEB.htm
The collective have been recognised for their work with West Auckland youth by the Henderson-Massey Local Board in 2018 – helping those who struggle with mainstream education – community opportunities in mural work within the suburb in partnership with Unitec and Auckland Council – the ‘Henderson Youth Project’.
Career Development for Rangatahi
[edit]
they work closely with Oranga Tamariki, NZ Police, alternative education providers, youth services, and local government[8]
many go on to pursue Foundation, Certificate or Bachelor level qualification at Unitech School of Art and Design – others have gone to Ama Training Group’s animation programme – and others have gone into the film industry.[3]
