Tūmanako Art Exhibition brings artistic peace to Waitohi

The free exhibition contains nearly 300 artworks from 13 schools and community groups across Wellington.

Running annually since 2015, Tūmanako (meaning hope in te reo) is organised by SGI New Zealand to commemorate the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear attacks of 1945.

The exhibition enables children and young people to learn not only about the harm of nuclear weapons but also about New Zealand's proud nuclear-free history and the root causes of violence in general.  

The exhibition is themed around the whakataukī/ Māori proverb, “Kotahi te kākano whakaaro, he nui ngā hua o te rākau houhou rongo” – One seed of thought grows the forest of peace. 

Vanessa Lyall, Waitohi Precinct Coordinator says the exhibition connects communities in the library and provides a good opportunity to kōrero about peace in the community. 

“We’ve been hosting Tūmanako at Waitohi since 2020 and it’s a great use of the space.”

“It’s encouraging to see schools and kindergartens planning class visits to the exhibition and discussing the art they see.”

You can visit the Tūmanako art exhibition at Waitohi library until September 14.