Kākano Youth Arts Collective
(Photo sourced from the Kakano website, 2026)
Kākano Youth Arts Collective, located in West Auckland, addresses the struggles faced by at-risk youth through expressive, artistic channels. Kākano started as a pilot programme in 2013 after social workers voiced concerns about the ongoing issues faced by disconnected Rangatahi who have been excluded from, or struggled in, mainstream education. Founder Mandy Patmore stated in an RNZ article;
"The commonality is that they are predominantly Māori, they have had traumatic, terrible upbringings, and have experienced some of the worst kinds of things that anybody can,".
"But somehow they're still really funny, and resilient, and the most amazing kids."
Before the Kākano programme, some rangatahi had been absent from mainstream education from as young as 12 years old. Kākano’s main services include a visual arts programme, youth mentoring and wellbeing services, and food support. The pilot programme had such success that 13 years on, Kākano has developed into a creative, inclusive space for at-risk youth to flourish.
Sourcing and providing meals can be a significant stressor for many families in Aotearoa. In 2025, 33% of families experienced some form of food insecurity (NZFN, 2025). Food insecurity is a massive strain on education when you don’t know when your next meal will be. The relationship between Kakano and Fair Food helps to address this, while minimising food waste through rescuing surplus food. In doing so, young artistic rangitahi have the fuel to learn and express themselves while reducing a significant potential stressor within their lives.
In 2025, Fair Food provided 5,710 kilograms of rescued food to Kākano Collective. Across the year, this was equivalent to a week’s worth of meals for 604 people. Through the partnership, Fair Food and the Kākano Collective repurpose surplus food to fuel at-risk rangatahi, minimise stressors for families and address food insecurity within Aotearoa.
You can support the Kākano Arts Collective and at-risk youth by following their social media accounts or purchasing their artworks. 90% of proceeds are returned to the talented rangatahi who created the art pieces.
Instagram: @kakanoyoutharts
Facebook: Kākano Youth Arts Collective