He mingled there in the 1930s with a group of young artists who developed New Zealand's first indigenous Modernism. Notable in that group was Colin McCahon (1919–1987) who stayed in contact with Hayman and like him used texts as integral to his imagery.
In the 1930s, he connected with a group of young artists who pioneered New Zealand's first indigenous Modernist movement. Notably, Colin McCahon (1919–1987), who maintained contact with Hayman, incorporated texts into his visual art, reflecting their shared artistic approach.