If you’re a Manurewa resident with a fondness for the outdoors, you're probably familiar with this local icon amongst the harakeke on the waterfront. At the end of Palmers Road, the Stairs of Empowerment give visitors an extra dose of delight as they walk down to the Manukau Harbour foreshore.
The Manurewa Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program is a local group of teens who created this community artwork some years ago as a service project. They have been maintaining it ever since.
Each brightly coloured step is painted with a motivational word of empowerment. This stunning landmark prompts visitors to take a moment of meditation and reflection amid the natural surrounds. It’s no wonder this beautiful piece of public art has become a hotspot for selfies on social media!
In early July 2022, the group gave the steps a much-needed refresh with the help of funding from the Beautification Trust’s Tiaki Fund and using equipment from our Community Tool Library.
The rangatahi and their whānau got together to clean the steps, removing mud and weeds, and repainted the face of the steps with empowering words in their signature bright colours. The funding and supplies from the Beautification Trust provided the group with paints, brushes, rollers and some delicious kai to fuel the volunteers’ efforts.
Thanks to the hard work of these young community volunteers, the steps are now looking as bright as ever! So next time you’re out for a walk, take a stroll down the Stairs of Empowerment, reflect on the beautiful messages of pride and hope, and maybe even snap a selfie for the ‘gram.