The Landing: local stories find a timeless home

In Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, memories don’t fade - they are cherished, celebrated, and now framed for generations to come.

At Ngā Tohu o Uenuku / Māngere Arts Centre, that was perfectly demonstrated through an exhibition that transformed local stories into living taonga: portraits and voices that capture the richness of the community’s lived experiences.

Created by artists Sith Douang Kham Chanh and photographer Lilian Rose Martirez, the Landing exhibition placed the spirit of Māngere and Ōtāhuhu front and centre. Each participant was photographed with a treasured taonga - a personal or cultural item of deep meaning - while sharing their story in their own words.

The exhibition ran from 30 August to 18 October 2025 and was funded through the board’s Age-Friendly Programme grant with support from Auckland Council Libraries and MJ Homes.

Board Chair Kaea Walter Inoke-Togiamua reflects, “Projects like this remind us why grants are so important. Even though The Landing was held last year, its stories of our residents still resonate, and the Māngere Arts Centre continues to present unique exhibitions each year, and the local board look forward to these in 2026. We are proud to have supported this alongside our artists, partners, and community.”

Each participant received their framed portrait, a keepsake of a project that captured their memories for years to come.

Māngere Arts Centre hosts many unique exhibitions like The Landing, with plenty of exciting shows planned for 2026.

Their stories reflect the incredible diversity of the area, Māori, Samoan, Laos, Chinese, Tongan, Niuean, Cook Islands, and Indian heritage - woven into one shared narrative of belonging.

Participant Lagituaiva Elia Kennedy recalls, “This was a beautiful walk down memory lane… seeing the finished exhibition evoked so many emotions, especially of my dad and many relatives who have passed on. They would have loved this! A beautiful tribute to life growing up in Māngere and Ōtāhuhu.”

Funded through the Local Board’s Age-Friendly Programme with support from Auckland Council Libraries and MJ Homes, The Landing continues to inspire, preserving the voices and treasures of older residents and ensuring these local stories remain a vital part of the community’s heritage.

Among the many voices featured were:

• Hineamaru Ropati
• Waitini Tiakiwai
• Molly Kutia
• Kesaia Pua Ahio
• Ngamata Uriaro
• Lagituaiva Elia
• Peter and Sabrina Ruoff
• Toulay Tahivichit
• Vaifoa Lomaga Tuiali‘i
• and Ashok Narayan.