In late 2024, Tyler Taua-Gordon of Te Kawerau ā Maki, led the opening and naming of two new studio spaces at Te Puna Creative Hub.

Kaimahi (staff) from the region’s economic and cultural agency, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, along with Te Kawerau ā Maki iwi and members of the Te Puna Creative Innovation Quarter Establishment Group, including Sir Bob Harvey and Penny Hulse, came together for the occasion. 

With the refurbishment and fit-out of Kōmanawa, a multi-functional digital theatre and Takawai, a black box studio nearing completion, the blessing saw people moving through the spaces, acknowledging the past and the direction for the future. 

Robin Taua-Gordon, Chair of Te Kawerau Iwi Tiaki Trust and Co-Chair for Te Puna Creative Innovation Quarter Establishment Group, thanked those present for their work supporting the vision and mahi for Te Puna Creative Innovation Quarter – a unique centre for screen, video games, creative technology, music, arts, and performing arts in west Auckland – driven by a partnership between Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and Te Kawerau ā Maki. 

Robin also explained the meaning of the names gifted by Te Kawerau ā Maki to the two refurbished studio spaces. 

A puna is a spring, where historically Māori would come together to connect and kōrero, hence the name of the wider creative precinct – Te Puna.

“In keeping with Te Puna Creative Innovation Quarter’s whakaaro of water, the name given to the theatre ‘Kōmanawa’, which means to ‘well up’, links to the welling up or sharing of ideas, creativity and innovation that will occur in this space.

“Takawai is the name given to the black box studio. With its dark walls and acoustic treatment, it is reminiscent of a ‘takawai’ – a calabash or gourd. Takawai are used to keep water dark and cool, and the Takawai studio provides a safe and nurturing place for bringing creative visions to life,” says Robin. 

Located at the heart of Te Kōpua Henderson at 8/14 Henderson Valley Road, Te Puna Creative Hub will provide the Tāmaki Makaurau region’s creative sector with affordable, adaptable and high-tech spaces to support their endeavours as well as event spaces for the local community. 

Jasmine Millet, Head of Creative Industries at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited says it’s exciting to see the ambitious Te Puna Creative Innovation Quarter initiative reach the milestone of opening its physical headquarters at Te Puna Creative Hub. 

The partnerships across Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and the wider west Auckland community have been vital in realising the vision for Te Puna Creative Hub and opening these fantastic new studio spaces.

“It’s only the beginning for Te Puna Creative Hub, which will help enable west Auckland people to work and thrive in highly skilled jobs where they live, supported by its public transport links, proximity to established industry anchors such as Auckland Film Studios and Corban Estate Arts Centre, and Māori economic innovation programmes,” says Jasmine. 

For more information about Kōmanawa, Takawai and Te Puna Creative Hub, check out the facilities overview here.