The Vacant Spaces Pop-Up Gallery: Panuku and Te Kōpua

The Vacant Spaces Pop-Up Gallery is brought to you by Auckland Council and Corban Estate Arts Centre, and is part of the Henderson town centre revitalisation project. 

This inspiring project invites artists to reimagine vacant shop windows, turning them into vibrant temporary art installations that reflect the rich creative spirit of the community, transform everyday space, and make art accessible to everyone. 

Rooted in CEAC’s commitment to fostering creativity in all its forms, this initiative goes beyond beautification—it’s about breathing new life into underutilized spaces while showcasing the incredible talent of local artists. By exploring themes such as Henderson’s history, natural environment, and cultural diversity, artists are weaving the stories of the town into imaginative displays that invite public engagement, curiosity, reflection and connection.  

Located at 369 Great North Rd, Henderson Town Centre

Panuku
Kianu Enoka-Rupapera
2025
Digital Canvas Print

This piece is a tribute to the Te Kawerau ā Maki ancestor, Panuku, after whom the Ōpanuku Stream and the wider Henderson Valley are traditionally named. The imagery in this artwork depicts, and pays homage to those area, as well as the story of Panuku and his wife Parekura, who was kidnapped and left a trail of white feathers from her korowai for her husband to follow.

Te Kōpua
Kianu Enoka-Rupapera
2025
Acrylic on Acacia wood

This artwork recognises Henderson’s original Māori name, Te Kōpua. Te Kōpua is where two important streams meet — Te Wai ō Panuku and Te Wai ō Pareira. This place was once home to one of the most resource-rich pā (fortified villages) of Te Kawerau ā Maki. The patterns and colours in the piece represent the two streams weaving together to form the waterway that flows out to the Waitematā Harbour.
 

About the artist:
Kianu Enoka-Rupapera (Ngāruahinerangi, Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara, Ngāti Kahu) is a local up-and-coming artist from Taranaki and the iwi of Ngāruahinerangi, That has graduated from studying at Toihoukura - School of Māori visual arts. He is a mixed medium artist and uses a range of materials to create intricate and powerful pieces that explore his Māori heritage. Kianu's unique approach to contemporary Māori art blends traditional techniques with modern materials, resulting in pieces that are both visually stunning and deeply meaningful.