The Ōtara Ōyster

The Ōtara Ōyster is a converted shipping container owned by artist Iokapeta Magele-Suamasi and is a special art portal steeped in  contemporary artistic heritage in Ōtara Town Centre. The name was gifted by renowned contemporary Pacific artist Andy Leleisi'uao who co-spearheaded the bid for reactivation of the space as an art portal alongside Magele-Suamasi in 2022.

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Originally christened the Ōtara Cube in 2013; this small outdoor art portal was established through a collaboration between the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board and the Manukau Institute of Technology school of Visual Arts (MSVA), Sadly after the closure of many  MSVA and MIT  its significance waned in the absence of active artistic engagement. Magele-Suamasi, recognising its potential, secured support from the local board to revitalise the space, partnering with Marketing / UX designer Aimée Ralfini of Art Ache NZ for a stellar rebranding effort. The results were transformational with the Ōtara Ōyster now at the forefront of 100% independent community autonomy in exhibiting new and emerging artists in Ōtara.

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In 2024, with the support of Bobby Kennedy (Auckland Council's Connected Communities, South) and 'Public Art' teams endorsement, the Ōtara Ōyster was removed from being a Council-owned asset and gifted to Iokapeta Magele-Suamasi as a long serving local artist and resident of the Ōtara Community since 1971.