Waitakere Pacific Arts and Cultural Trust

The Waitakere Pacific Arts and Cultural Trust is the governing body for the Pacific Arts and Cultural Centre. Its role is to steer the development of Pacific arts and culture at the Corban Estate, Henderson, by providing a clear strategy, good governance and financial management.

Background

The trust was legally incorporated on 6 September 2005. As a new body, it works closely with the Pacifica Mamas Arts and Cultural Trust to help guide the existing Pacific Arts and Cultural Centre as it transitions into an expanded and stronger base for Pacific arts and culture in the Auckland region.

The trust includes representatives from the Waitakere Ethnic Board, the Waitakere City Council, the Pacifica Arts Group (artists) the Pacific Mamas Arts and Cultural Trust (The Mamas) and a wide range of Pacific peoples with diverse backgrounds, including law, business and economic development, the arts and education. Although based in Waitakere, the centre will develop links with regional, national and international bodies, for mutual benefit.

The Waitakere Pacific Arts and Cultural Trust and The Mamas both hold unique and interrelated positions at the Waitakere Pacific Arts and Cultural Centre. The Mamas has been onsite at the Corban Estate for over a decade providing respected, significant, educational and cultural leadership to the communities of Waitakere and beyond.

Waitakere Pacific Arts and Cultural Trust logo

Aims of Centre

Pacific woman

People from many Pacific nations grace Aotearoa/New Zealand with their rich cultures and spiritual traditions expressed in many ways including music, song, dance, prayer, language, visual art performing arts and traditional arts.

To remain rich and vibrant practices from the past need to be nurtured and preserved and new forms of expression encouraged.

The centre aims to do just this by providing a home for Pacific arts and culture of all kinds, open to everyone and supporting cultural exchange and mutual learning.

The centre will gradually grow from a small-scale operation based mainly on volunteers to a medium-scale enterprise with paid staff, multiple projects and a diverse range of arts and cultural activity on a site reflecting the many Pacific nations in Aotearoa.

Vision:
To enhance the wellbeing of Pacific peoples and the wider community through fostering Pacific arts, crafts and culture.

Goals:

1. A home for Pacific arts and culture
   • To build a sustainable centre for the development, promotion and supply of authentic pacific arts and culture.
2. Education, telling stories and preserving ways of life
   • Preservation of arts, crafts, cultures and languages
3. Creating prosperity
   • Improve the socio-economic wellbeing of pacific peoples through arts and culture

Shell necklace	Another shell necklace

Location at Corban Estate

Corban Estate

The Waitakere Pacific Arts and Cultural Centre is situated at the Corban Estate (previously a winery) in Henderson.

This base has grown from the energy of a few passionate and committed people; the active support of the Waitakere City Council; the Waitakere Pacific Board (formerly Pacific Islands Advisory Board); and The Mamas.

The latter became the heart and soul of this space, taking weaving classes, showing school children and adults how to make Pacific arts, creating a studio space for selling and showcasing art pieces and forming a weekend market.

Waitakere's community outcomes process clearly identified that the development of a Pacific Arts and Cultural Centre was a priority for supporting local arts, artists and culture. It will also contribute hugely to economic and community development.

Trustees

Contact information

Waitakere Pacific Arts and Cultural Trust
P.O Box 21312, Henderson, Waitakere City
Ph: 09 8383205
Fax: 09 8383206

Email: pacifica.arts@xtra.co.nz  

Visit:  www.pacificaarts.org

Or

Contact Us