Hail, rain, and wind didn’t dampen the spirits of the Whau community who came out to support the ‘We Are Woven’ event.
The event last weekend, run by I Love Avondale and supported by Whau Local Board, Auckland Transport and Eke Panuku, featured live entertainment on the car-free Crayford Street West.
This included performances by Whaea Bella with her karanga and opening karakia, Tung Tek Lion Dance Association 同德醒獅團, the Clan Celtica tribal Scottish band and Avondale local, MC and rapper MELODOWNZ Avondale Primary School welcomed people to the event and created a festival-like scene complete with bikes, scooters and roller skates.
There were also live performances from Mhara Marimba and Caribbeanz Southern Stars on the school field. Bike Avondale hosted an inflatable UV dome and pop-up play zone, which attracted many tamariki (children), and rangatahi (young people).
Visitors also enjoyed a mākete (market), food trucks, live muralling, cultural clothing parades, bike and scooter pump track, free kai and face-painting .
'Incredible event’
Whau Local Board deputy chair, Fasitua Amosa, says the event was an incredible get-together for a community experiencing rapid intensification.
“The board is proud to have supported the event, the feedback has been fantastic and we know this event is welcomed by our diverse community,” he says.
“As a board, it’s great for us to look at how we can best manage our local suburbs strategically with all the intensification happening here.
“Woven is another example of an awesome placemaking event in Avondale and I’d love to open the streets for the people on a more regular basis to encourage more locals to use our streets and have fun in our public places.”
Whau Local Board Member Catherine Farmer, Member Sarah Paterson-Hamlin, Deputy Chair Fasitua Amosa, and Member Ross Clow at 'We Are Woven' (L-R)
Open Streets Ambassador, Jessica Rose, says the event was a perfect example of the fast-changing suburban life in Avondale.
“I'm thrilled to see the absolute joy that 'We are Woven' brought to the series, and want to thank Whau Local Board, Auckland Transport and Eke Panuku for their support,” she says.
“As an Avondale local, I’m very proud that we’ve got a vibrant artistic community, which makes it an excellent place to live, work and play. I Love Avondale's 'We are Woven' is a great example of that.”
Avondale Open Streets Activation
‘We Are Woven’ is the third of the four events from the Avondale Open Streets Activation project. The project delivers events in parts of Avondale town centre, which will temporarily be made car-free. 'Open Streets’ is a global initiative where streets are transformed into public zones where people can walk, cycle, socialise and celebrate - transforming the idea of what community engagement is possible in urban areas.
The purpose of Open Streets is to open public spaces to other forms of transport beyond motorised vehicles. This demonstrates a commitment to creating a greater balance in transport options and the importance of community in the development of Auckland’s transport infrastructure.
The project was proposed by the Whau Local Board and funded through the new Ngā Tiriti Ngangahau - The Vibrant Streets Programme.
Avondale Open Streets is supported by the community, including Avondale Mainstreet, I Love Avondale, Whau the People, Bike Avondale, the Avondale Collaboration Network, Auckland Transport and Whau Local Board. Open Streets Festivals, supported by Whau Local Board, Eke Panuku, and Auckland Transport.
The final event of this series, the first-ever Avondale Christmas Parade, is coming up on 25 November.
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