Art funds pupils’ trip

65 Flaxmere students can now head to remote marae

Irongate School deputy principal Tony McCann is thrilled that art work on sale as a fundraiser for students to travel to Miru Miru Marae in Marokopa has sold.

“We had an enthusiastic crowd that came from Flaxmere and the wider district,” McCann said;

“The students now have all the money they need for the travel — just a little more ($5000) to raise to cover food for the 60-odd kids.

“It was a fantastic night, and great to get such strong support from the community.

“All 52 art works sold, with the biggest contribution coming from Maori visual arts school Toimairangi (about 60 per cent). We very grateful for the huge support.

“It’s a bonus that now there are 52 original works of art by local artists, both recognised and emerging, hanging in homes across Hastings.”

The 65 Irongate School Year 7 and 8 pupils (Puawai Syndicate) are heading next month to remote Miru Miru Marae in Marokopa, only accessible by barge, about 150km north of New Plymouth on the west coast.

The five-day educational trip will focus on culture, the sciences, whakapapa links, and the similarities and differences between the two coasts. “There are a lot of questions for the kids to answer,” McCann said.

“Why the black sand on that coast; why is the nikau palm predominant over there; why the differences in the wildlife in the two areas; how are some or our families linked to that coast? There is so much to learn.”

The children have been making formal presentations to businesses and artists, and proving hugely successful at getting sponsorship and works of art for the massive fundraising art evening.