Mural Masterpieces - Te Hapara School

Location:
Te Hapara School, Mill Road, Gisborne.

Team:
Trish Brown (teacher), Trevor Baty (caretaker), Lyric Baty-Akurangi, Adam Nepe, Kyah Hollis, Moko Kiwara, Paige Hovell, Kaeli Sinclair and Sumita Singh.

Accessible to public:
Yes.

Mural theme:
Metre tall Pou based on the four school syndicates named after our Maori heritage icons.

Background to mural creation:
The Pou were created to celebrate the learning journey of the school’s tamariki as they travel through the school and syndicates.

Tamariki begin their journey in Takitimu, the waka, where they learn to paddle their own canoe and begin their learning journey. They paddle down Turanganui, increasing their skills along the river of learning and life. They travel out to Tuamotu, through the sea of knowledge and climb to the top. From here they climb Titirangi, where they continue to soar for excellence as lifelong learners.

Each pou has special meaning for the syndicate it represents..

Takitimu
Head – paddle shaped with double spiral PITAU, representing the unfolding of new life.
Patterns – the youngest tamariki ‘paddle’ individually, but move forward together through co-operation.

Turanganui
Head – spiral shaped KORU, representing growth and movement,
Patterns – tuna grow together and travel along the river of life.

Tuamotu
Head – stairway shaped POUTAMA, representing the quest for knowledge and achievement.
Patterns – through the ‘sea of knowledge’ and striving to climb higher.

Titirangi
Head – arrow shaped MANGOPARE, represents the strength, courage and determination of the hammerhead shark.
Patterns – climb to the summit with perseverance and fly…