Painga Project

We’re incredibly honoured to be part of the Auckland Festival of Photography with Equity at the School Gate, a social documentary exhibition by Francesca Brugnoli capturing the vision kaupapa of Painga Project.

This powerful series follows the journey from school vision screening, to full eye examinations onboard Celia, through to tamariki choosing their glasses - many for the very first time.

The exhibition explores what becomes possible when barriers to care are removed and tamariki are supported to fully engage in their learning.

Devonport Library
29 May – 14 June

Exhibition Kōrero & Celebration Event
Sunday 7 June
6:00pm

We would love to see you there, please email [email protected] if you intend on joining us for the event.




celia visioncare

To all the māmā, grandmothers, aunties and mother figures holding it all together in ways big and small - thank you.

For the lunches made, the uniforms found, the appointments attended, the encouragement given, the worries carried and the endless love poured into tamariki every day.

We see you, and we hope today you feel celebrated and appreciated for all that you do.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Painga Project 💚

What an exciting milestone for us.

Last week Celia, our mobile vision clinic, was onsite at Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae for her first full school of optometry appointments. Tamariki came onboard throughout the day for full eye exams with our optometrist all at school with minimal interruption to their learning.

This is exactly why Celia exists. Not just screening, but solutions. Full assessments. Glasses prescribed. Barriers removed. Learning supported.

To see Celia parked at kura, doing what she was designed to do, was a powerful reminder of how far this mahi has come.

Onwards - more schools, more appointments, more glasses on faces.