An arty social enterprise from our street community

You might notice people selling artful Piki - feather-like adornments to be worn in the hair, on a hat or button or used as a bookmark - around the city centre over the next couple of weeks.

The Piki Project has come out of Inside the Cup, a co-design process led by Lifewise with a group of people who’ve experienced homelessness. The project has combined the creative skills of the wider homeless community and the technology of the Unitec Institute of Technology to create Piki.

Image: LIfewise

Piki allows people to supplement their income in a flexible way and to develop meaningful social connections. Vendors, who are also often the artists, will gain entrepreneurial experience with the hope of establishing long-term businesses in the future.

The Piki Project is supported by Lifewise, Unitec, Auckland Council and Heart of the City.