Save the Manumea Campaign - Samoa

Back pre-covid when the world was a little easier to navigate we worked alongside a bunch of amazing people to create the Manumea mural in Samoa. Supported by both the Samoan and New Zealand governments, visual arts were used as a key campaign strategy in the plight to save the national bird of Samoa from extinction. The Save the Manumea campaign brings attention to the fact that it is on the brink of extinction. Standing over 2 stories high on the side of the NZ High Commission in Apia, Samoa - the message is loud & clear that together we want to champion its call for survival & restore the pride of this symbol of the nation. Partners for the project included:

Samoa Conservation Society SCS

Strengthening Multi- Sectoral Management of Critical Landscapes in Samoa (SMSMSL)

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment MNRE

New Zealand high Commission NZHC

With the help of Jane & Olsen Va'afusuaga we spent 6 days in the sun & rain completing the work before the unveiling attended by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (NZ), Dept Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mata'afa & dignitaries from around the Pacific. What a huge privilege and honour for us to be involved, we have then returned to upskill local art teachers from around the nation on how to paint large scale so that they will have the skills to continue this on.