Auckland Prison’s peer-tutored carving school has been working hard in recent months on a waharoa – or gateway – for the new Albany Junior High School.
The waharoa was handed to the school in a small ceremony at Auckland Prison on March 2, and then unveiled at its new home on March 27 in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister John Key.
The waharoa depicts the story of Tane’s journey to heaven to bring back the three kete (baskets) of knowledge. The kereru that surmounts the arch was the messenger sent to tell Tane the kete were ready.
The carving class is now working with the school on an agreement to provide many more carvings for the new campus.
Activities such as carving classes enable prisoners to make good use of their time, learn job-related skills, and give something back to the community in the form of their finished works.
Got a story for Corrections News or want to request the print edition?
Email commdesk@corrections.govt.nz or phone (04) 460 3365.
ISSN 1178-8453