Te Ara Ātea was a collaborative project from the start, with Selwyn District Council working alongside mana whenua from Te Taumutu Rūnanga. Cultural stories are carefully blended throughout its public spaces, collections, and exhibitions in a way that was a first for Selwyn. The concepts of manaakitaka, kaitiakitaka, kōkiritaka and whanaukataka are now embedded here, informing how the Arts, Culture, and Lifelong Learning Team interact within Te Ara Ātea and the community, creating a cultural shift. As a result, Te Ara Ātea has had a profound intergenerational impact on the wellbeing of the community both inside and outside its walls. This was recognised in 2022 when Creative New Zealand awarded Te Ara Ātea its Excellence Award for Cultural Wellbeing at the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) Excellence Awards.
On display
Local Government New Zealand Excellence Award for Cultural Wellbeing, 2022.
On loan from Selwyn District Council
