Cultural space completed

12 January 2011

Northern Region Corrections Facility will dedicate and unveil 21 carvings and 16 tukutuku panels on Friday 21 January, completing its cultural space Te Pua Wananga.

Situated near Kaikohe in the Bay of Islands, the Northern Region Corrections Facility is a Māori focus facility based on an open-plan model. Te Pua Wananga, located in the centre of the site, is a place of learning where all people are welcome. It is use for tikanga and other cultural programmes, chaplaincy and meetings.

The carvings were created on site as part of the carving programme. Most were completed by four senior carvers but up to a dozen prisoners worked on the carvings at various stages.

The tukutuku panels are of norfolk pine and totara, sourced locally. Their creation was a collaborative effort involving many people from within and outside the facility. 

Mark Lynds, Programmes Manager, Northern Region Corrections Facility, says that more than 11,000 man hours were dedicated to the project over an 18-month period.

“Te Pua Wananga is the cultural heart of this site,” he says. “The project has been a source of inspiration and a time of great learning for everyone who has been involved in the journey.”

Richard Benge, Executive Director, Arts Access Aotearoa applauds the work being done in the Northland facility to rehabilitate prisoners through the arts and culture.

“Congratulations to everyone – staff, prisoners, community volunteers – who have been involved in this amazing project.”