History

Te Kāhui, our ongoing creative expression programme for rangatahi in Corrections and underserved communities across Aotearoa, continues to create spaces to connect with inspiring young storytellers. The team is facilitated by award-winning creatives; Ruby Macomber, Sherry Zhang, Eric Soakai, and Phodiso Dintwe. With the support from Manatū Taonga Ministry of Culture and Heritage multi-year Creative Spaces funding and RFP funding through the Ministry of Justice, Te Kāhui have engaged with over 30 correctional facilities and community spaces, and served over 300 rangatahi in the past year alone. This included a series of wānanga held in different PHAB facilities, to engage directly with rangatahi that span a broad spectrum of disability. The engagement of non-verbal participants prompted our facilitation team to expand the ways they explored creative expression, from a solely written form to more tactile forms of expression, incorporating objects and materials to engage those less interested in traditional writing. This has been an incredibly rewarding experience for both participants and the facilitators. Further, Te Kāhui has been entrusted to lead the Corban Estate Arts Centre WORD-UP wānanga series for 2024. This kaupapa connects West Auckland rangatahi to diverse modalities of accessible creative expression. This year, Te Kāhui are excited to facilitate more frequent kanohi-ki-te-kanohi wānanga in Correctional Facilities as far south as Christchurch Women’s Prison.

Five people posing in a room, three standing in the back and two kneeling in front, smiling for the photo. One woman is sitting on the floor, and a woman is sitting on a chair, reading a book. There is a sign in the background that reads "TAIOHI INSIDE" and some artwork on the wall.

Our programme has grown with the support of Youth Arts New Zealand.

More on YANZ

We’ve also prepared a pitch deck, should you wish to learn more about us.

Pitch Deck

Whakapā mai

Pātai atu! (Ask away!) We're a tiny team with big passion, and we love connecting with fellow story-lovers. For inquiries about workshops, resources, or partnerships, drop us a line. During our hiatus period, our inbox will be checked fortnightly.


"Te Kāhui plays an invaluable role in the lives of rangatahi across Aotearoa, offering transformative opportunities for self-reflection, emotional growth, and creative expression. As the arts in Corrections Advisor for Arts Access Aotearoa, I have a deep understanding of the profound impact that the arts can have on individuals, especially those in challenging circumstances, and Te Kāhui's work stands as a shining example of the positive change that can be achieved through arts-based programmes.

– Neil Wallace (Arts in Corrections Advisor, Arts Access Aotearoa)