Mural Masterpieces - Fergusson Intermediate

Location:
Hikurangi Street, Trentham, Upper Hutt.

Team:
Samara Bridgen, Shriya Nand, Scarlett Askew, Nikitha Widanelage, Manita Bussan, Charlotte Tapuai, Rahni Johnston, Jessica Barrett, Skyla Howat with teacher Cherie Adams.

Accessible to public:
Yes, by the school hall.

Mural theme:
Pou whenua.

Background to mural creation:
This installation art piece reflects the many people and cultures at the school.  The finished project is a collection of 7 pou whenua.  Traditionally, pou whenua (land posts) are carved wooden posts used to mark places of significance.  Each tells a story acknowledging the association between people and the place where they reside.

The students wanted to create a piece of art where they could see, go to, walk around and feel like they were one together and belonged.

The project started with 4 pou whenua but quickly expanded to 7 as the group learned how many cultures were represented in the school. 

As well as flags and cultures, adorning the brightly-coloured wooden pou are attributes that the students felt were important for students to show towards each other – inclusion, kindness and unity as well as the RISE school values – Resilience, Integrity, Sense of self and Empathy.

The pou whenua will be added to over the years as the school community changes, grows and diversifies.