Polynesian Panthers Mural

The 'Whakaako Kia Whakaora / Educate to Liberate' mural project will render a stunning 26m x 5m artwork which visually connects the relationship between the Polynesian Panther Party (Aotearoa) and the Black Panther Party (USA) to inspire and educate to build a better future for all.

Your support will help us to get this significant artwork painted on our site on the corner of Karangahape Rd and Gundry Street in Central Auckland. Be a part of our interconnected histories!

The project was born from the ongoing engagement of Emory Douglas (former Minister of Culture of the Black Panther Party) with Māori and Pacific communities in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The project was conceived by Chris McBride and Tigilau Ness (former Minister of Culture and Fine Arts of the Polynesian Panther Party) while attending the 50th Anniversary of The Black Panthers in Oakland in 2016. The mural production coincides with the 50th anniversary year of the Polynesian Panthers.

Over Covid lockdown in 2020, the 'Whakaako Kia Whakaora / Educate to Liberate' mural was designed by Toa Sieke Taihia, Numa MacKenzie, Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho, in a collaborative dialogue with Emory Douglas, Tigilau Ness and Chris McBride. An associated website (panthers.liberationlibrary.nz) was also created by Extended Whānau. The first stage was supported by Creative New Zealand as part of the Covid-19 arts support grants. The website compliments the mural project by providing an array of PPP/BPP information and links to interviews, music and other visual support material in support of the educational aspect to this work.  

This public art project has the potential to become an iconic mural of national and international significance. The physical mural will be an attractive, visual marker to the past and present concerns and aspirations of diverse communities that define Tāmaki Makaurau. Combining artistic excellence alongside story-telling, the mural will achieve maximum visibility from multiple view points, becoming an important destination for public visual arts. 

Aims and objectives

– To render a visually stunning multi-coloured artwork (26 metres x 5 metres) to signal the historical precedent of the Polynesian Panthers and the revolutionary role they played in supporting the Pacific and Māori communities in Tāmaki Makaurau, and the vital connection to The Black Panther Party.

– To provide positive inspiration for future generations by creating contemporary imagery that will articulate ideas of community care and support, health, cultural diversity, peace and current environmental values.

– Members of the public and students will be provided with an opportunity to contribute to the painting of the mural as an essential part of our engagement with community.

– The mural will serve as a reminder of the role played by the Polynesian Panthers in health, housing, land rights, environment and education issues affecting the Pacific and Māori communities in Tāmaki Makaurau between 1971 and the present. 

Your aroha and manaaki is appreciated

Every donation will help to support our artists and production of the mural – your support will contribute to fund all aspects of the costs required to create this work including; artists / scissor lift/s / storage container / additional website construction / photographer / videographer / lighting / catering and more.