Episode 2 of the Home Ground Audio Journey, Take the Space
Home Ground, a creative collective dedicated to empowering women in the justice system through creativity, is excited to share the new episode of "Take the Space".
Finding My Why will be available on Wellington Access Radio 6pm on Tuesday 4th of March 2025.
The Home Ground Collective, a community of artists (inside and outside of prison), uses dance, performance, writing, music, and visual arts to address the issues women and whānau face within the justice system. This project gives voice to women reclaiming their identities and navigating systemic challenges in creative ways.
Take the Space invites you into a world where the voices of women impacted by the justice system are heard, valued, and amplified. In this audio journey, the Home Ground Collective shares their stories of survival, strength, and creativity, taking control of their own narratives and shaping the future of the justice system.
Finding My Why
In this episode, our amazing Plant Mama, TeAue, talks about the journey of ‘finding your why’ when you are in prison - what do you hold onto to remind yourself what matters? What happens when you go home? How do you find your motivation to keep going with your good life? Te Aue has been working with us for four years, and as well as beautiful visual arts, she is a motivational speaker! Listen up - she shares all her wisdom through the strength of lived experience.
This episode was inspired by TeAue recording sounds that mattered to her - like the sound of driving home to her family, and listenting to the birds at dawn. Some of the audio was taken from Home Ground remote online workshops, where TeAue would regularly be an inspiration for all of us. TeAue is a co-facilitator on our projects in the lower North Island, and contributes to our mahi thrgouh her visual arts and design. As a collaborating artist who has spent several years inside, her knowledge represent's the strength of lived experience, what it takes to rebuild your life, and how much gratitude and hard work goes into finding your why.
Call to Action
Our call to action this week is to ask yourself why? How are you going to live your life? What really matters to you right now? For those listeners who don’t know this reality, you can read ‘Journey to Prison - who goes and why’ by Celia Lashilie. In Journey to Prison Celia examines crime in Aotearoa New Zealand, the way we punish offenders, the effectiveness of prison (for both men and women), parental responsibility, the role of drugs, where education comes in and the role of state institutions. Underpinning Ces’s argument is the need for the community as a whole to take responsibility for the incidence of crime in our society. Prison is just a representation of the bigger issues we face in the community. As Celia would say - every child is pure and filled with their own particular brand of magic.
So here is your call to action...
✨✨✨find your why, find your magic ✨✨✨
Why "Take the Space" Matters
The Home Ground Podcast aims to amplify voices that are often overlooked in the mainstream conversation about justice reform. Through this podcast, the Home Ground Collective is creating a platform for women who have been incarcerated or impacted by the justice system to speak for themselves, tell their stories, and reclaim their narrative. With each episode, listeners will hear how the arts — in all its forms — are used as tools for healing, empowerment, and social change.
“We are telling our stories on our own terms, in our own voices,” says a Home Ground participant. “It’s time for us to take the space that has always been ours, and to invite others to join us in creating a more just and compassionate world.”
Where to Listen
Wellington Access Radio: https://accessradio.org.nz/shows-podcasts/take-the-space/
Website: homegroundnz.com
Social media through the following links:
Instagram: @home_ground_poneke
Facebook: HomeGroundPoneke
Episode Credits:
Audio Engineer: Jonny Marx
Opening Song "Actions Speak Louder than Words"
A collaboration between artists inside and outside of Arohata Women's Prison, 2021.
Lyrics, poetry, performance, and concept: Project Rua participants in Arohata Prison Guitar & composition: Hunter Parahihi
Vocals: Moana Leota
Taonga Pūoro: Ruby Hinepunui Solly
Recording and design: Aimee Martin
TeAue's chosen song
Artist: Jazo
Writers: Jasmine Pene
Producer: Jasmine Pene
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