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
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.
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.
COLOMBIA JAPAN PHILLIPINES VIETNAM SOUTH KOREA MALAYSIA
SRI LANKA INDONESIA THAILAND CAMBODIA MEXICO CHILE
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.
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.