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Step into a world where

culture comes alive,

where

tradition meets creativity,

and where

every brushstroke tells a story.

Welcome to

It Takes a Village,

where we are on a mission to celebrate and preserve

the vibrant cultures of Aotearoa and beyond.

Upcoming Events

  • Britomart Saturday Markets
    Britomart Saturday Markets
    Sat, 18 May
    Takutai Square
    18 May 2024, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
    Takutai Square, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
    18 May 2024, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
    Takutai Square, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
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Ocean

Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta -
Rotuman Language Week  
Celebrate: 12 – 18 May.

The 2024 theme for Rotuman Language Week is ‘Vetḁkia ‘os Fäega ma Ag fak hanua -

Sustaining our Language and Culture.’ 

This theme comes from the overarching Language Week Series theme for 2024, 'Sustainability'. The Hata Collective (on behalf of the Rotuman community in Aotearoa) has continued to focus on the Four Pillars of wellbeing. To support the concept of Sustainability, the pillar that best supports this is VETḀKI which means to continuously do something without interruption. VETḀKI is also a word that is rarely used in the current spoken language, so the use of this word in the theme also signals the need for revival. The community felt this was meaningful and relevant to the goals of Rotuma language week 2024. The word VETḀKI does not sit alone and takes on meaning relevant to language and culture. No matter how far we live from the motherland, language and culture helps shape who we are as people.

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At It Takes a Village,

we specialize in hand painted/crafted Multicultural Resources, meticulously crafted to ignite curiosity and foster cultural pride.

We started with our Māori and Polynesian cultures and now have moved into more cultures that are represented in our communities in Aotearoa.

From intricately detailed peg doll pieces and villages representing iconic cultural structures each creation is a testament to our commitment to sharing the richness of our cultures with the world.

What sets us apart is not just our products but the personal touch we bring to every piece. With products painted live at markets, children and adults alike get a glimpse into the artistic process, fostering a deeper connection with our creations and the cultures they represent.

We have been asked by many kaiako if we are able to paint some of the cultures they are experiencing growth in their  early childhood centres and schools.

Keep an eye out for our new cultures been released soon.

Here are our current Countries we

have researched and designed.
This includes the 12 Language Weeks
we celebrate in Aotearoa.

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Below is a list of the most requested Countries.
We are looking to launch these in August/September 2024.
Please email us if you have any suggestions
.

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COLOMBIA            JAPAN             PHILLIPINES       VIETNAM       SOUTH KOREA       MALAYSIA

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SRI LANKA        INDONESIA        THAILAND       CAMBODIA          MEXICO               CHILE

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OUR FULL RANGE OF PRODUCTS

How we started. 

 

It all began with a shared passion for education and a deep-rooted desire to fill a gap in cultural resources for children. With over two decades of kindergarten teaching experience in South Auckland, Pulusea Seumanu, alongside his brother Afa, a seasoned signwriter, recognized the need for Māori and Polynesian resources in early childhood education. Drawing from their Samoan heritage, they set out to create something truly special.

As proud Samoan and Chinese Kiwis, we infuse our creations with elements from our diverse heritage, celebrating the beauty of cultural fusion. From Chinese cultural additions to plans for exploring more cultures in the future, our goal is to create a tapestry of diversity that resonates with people from all walks of life.

Participation in markets and events has not only attracted crowds but also inspired suggestions for new products and cultures. From educators using our dolls as ice breakers to families seeking culturally rich resources, we have been asked to make chess sets, wedding cake toppers and the demand for our creations continues to grow.

Volunteer painter at the Titirangi Village Markets, Sunday 24 March, 2024.

Our painter and designer, Tusiata paints at all of our events and markets. This is to show our audience how these pieces of art come to life. Many people compliment him on the steadiness of his painting and admire his work.
WTusiata gave a young lady a chance to come and paint one of the dolls. She agreed and took up the challenge.
Tusiata was able to guide her through the process and she enjoyed the experience. As many watched on, we took plenty of photos of this opportunity and asked permission to post photos on our social media platforms. The young lady recieved a doll as part of her contribution to the painting of the dolls.
We are looking to offer more opportunties to maybe inspire children to take up painting as a hobbie.

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