In July 2021, ĀKAU collaborated with Kaikohe Konnex to bring light to the community and celebrate Matariki and Puanga - The Māori New Year. The theme for this year's Bling Bling Toi Marama Festival was 'Te Waonui a Tāne', The world that exists within and under the canopy of Tāne Mahuta.
Through this kaupapa we supported kōhanga, kura, schools and community roopu o Hokianga ki Taumarere. Also, Auckland Art Gallery contributed to the kaupapa by leading whānau papamahi ki Tamaki. More than 6,109 people walked through the waharoa to celebrate and experience the creative talent of our tamariki.