A multi-coloured cloak covered in thousands of houses aims to spark discussion about the Tāmaki regeneration programme.
The art work, known as He Korowai Hāpori o Tāmaki (the community cloak), is being created by members of Ruapotaka Marae and the Tāmaki community. It was formally unveiled on 18 March as part of Auckland Arts Festival at Te Whare Piringa community hall in Glen Innes.
Symbolising the role of the marae
The cloak, which is a work in progress, is made up of three panels representing the past, present and future. Once complete, it will be threaded with 7500 small plastic houses. This is the same number of new social, affordable and private market homes to be built in Glen Innes, Point England and Panmure as part of the Tāmaki regeneration programme.
Ruapotaka Marae centre manager Georgie Thompson says the cloak symbolises the role the marae is taking in the regeneration of Tāmaki.
“Part of our role is to spread the message about Tāmaki Regeneration Company, while also acknowledging the heartache faced by the community with the changes that it brings,” Georgie says.
“It’s about drawing the positive out for the benefit of the community. Things like affordable housing, whanau ora (wellbeing) and letting our people know there’s a brighter future to this whole thing.”
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Tāmaki Regeneration Company (TRC) is behind the first urban transformation project in New Zealand, creating a thriving, attractive, sustainable and self-reliant community where the future looks brighter for the residents of today and tomorrow.
Formed in 2013, TRC is jointly owned by the Government and Auckland Council. TRC are working in partnership with local residents and businesses, mana whenua, local and central government agencies, local service providers and the private sector to provide a platform for successful regeneration in Tāmaki.
