Ki te mea ka taka te kākano ki te wāhi e tika ana ka tinaku, ā, ka pihi ake he tipu hou. If a seed falls in the right place it will germinate and a new seedling will sprout. We are Kākano Youth Arts Collective – a whānau of young artists and passionate tutors using art as a catalyst for positive change in our lives and the lives of others. We love our place in the Henderson community and the fact that we can bring art, colour and culture to the beautiful people of West Auckland. Kākano Youth Arts Collective is a unique and extraordinary programme. We are about so much more than just creating art. We are a whānau, and for the young people in the Collective this is the only place where they can feel supported, safe and free to be themselves. Kākano means “seed”. The concept of He Kākano conveys growth, development, and expansion. Even before a seed is planted or nourished, it has inherent promise — the capability to take root, develop, grow, and blossom. Our tutors look for the tiniest little spark of artistic talent in young people, and develop this seed.