Young Māngere Artists Leave Their Mark on the Māngere Arts Centre

Mana whenua representative blessing the artwork adorning the outside of the Māngere Arts Centre.

Bold, bright, and unmistakably Māngere. A new artwork has transformed the windows of the Māngere Arts Centre into a celebration of community, culture, and belonging.

The MAC Māmānu project, two years in the making, is the work of Māngere-based artist Elisabeth Kumaran, who was approached by the Māngere Arts Centre after her digital illustration work was displayed as part of the MAC Canvas project on the Māngere Library wall. 

What followed was a collaborative journey that brought together students, community, and creativity.

Elisabeth worked with students from Bader Intermediate and Māngere College, ranging from Years 7 to 13 and representing a rich mix of Pacific, Māori, Indian, and Asian backgrounds. 

Over three weeks, she delivered a series of workshops at each school, guiding students through a process centred on the concept of tūrangawaewae, a place to stand, and where you feel a sense of belonging.

"It was less about teaching and more about facilitating their voices and ideas into a collective outcome," Elisabeth says.

The workshops created space for genuine reflection. 

Younger students eagerly shared their ideas and learned from one another, while older students took a more introspective approach, crafting thoughtful sketches and written reflections on what Māngere means to them. 

Everyday places and experiences, including the pools, playgrounds, church, and family life, were woven into visual storytelling that felt both personal and deeply rooted in place.

From left: Shya Goodwin, Mike Christo, Elisabeth Kumaran, and Bonnie Lafaele standing in front of the artwork.

To reflect the vibrancy of the community, Elisabeth chose a bold palette of blue, pink, yellow, and orange, colours that speak to the diversity and energy the students brought into the room.

"What stood out most was their pride in their cultures and their connection to Māngere," she says.

The result is an artwork that feels genuinely community-made, with the ideas and identities of Māngere's young people now permanently reflected in a space that belongs to them.

Elisabeth hopes the experience encourages students to keep pursuing their creative passions and, most importantly, to know that their stories deserve to be seen and celebrated.