(L to R: Olivia Laita, Janine Williams & Amiria Puia-Taylor | Photo by Sabrina Puia-Taylor, 2017)

AUAT was incorporated in 2003 by one of the very first Urban Art businesses in Aotearoa, Disruptiv Ltd. The Trust initially specialised in youth and community opportunities in Hip-Hop music, b-boying/b-girling and graffiti.

In 2007, the Trust was passed on to NZ graffiti crew TMD, which at the time, included arts manager, Olivia Laita. AUAT’s last significant project in the hands of members of TMD, was ‘Bradley Lane’, Glen Innes in 2014. Bradley Lane has now grown into a Glen Innes annual arts event under The Good The Bad Charitable Trust.

From Bradley Lane in 2014, there was no creative vision for the use of AUAT and very little experience on how to operate a Charitable Trust and governance board, but Olivia intuitively chose to hold onto it, releasing all previous members from the board and kept it dormant until an opportunity presented itself.

In 2017, AUAT was reborn with two new members: Urban Contemporary Artist Janine Williams and Te Ao Maori Arts Manager Amiria Puia-Taylor, to educate and enhance UCA experiences in Aotearoa.

From 2018-2022, Olivia Laita took over as AUAT’s director, with the support of a specialised Board of Trustees.

AUAT is currently kept dormant and safe by Merepaea Dunn (Chairperson) and Melissa Manapori (Secretary) until a new chapter reveals itself. If you are interested in becoming a part of AUAT, please feel free to make contact.