Matariki showcased through art

Creatives from the Far North showcased their talents celebrating Matariki Puanga in a mixed media art competition organized by Far North District Libraries.

Artists used various materials to express what Matariki means to them, along with a title and personal story. The entries were judged by Kaihika Moko Tepania and Councillor Tāmati Rākena based on artistic expression, creativity, mixed media use, overall impact, and storytelling.

The age groups were children 5 – 10 years, teens 11 – 17 years, and adults 18 plus, with two categories, Overall, Winner and Kaihika Choice.

The overall winners were:

5 – 10 years: Izzy who illustrated ‘Flame Star’
Story: As a family, for Matariki we have a bonfire and look at the stars. Here is the brightest star above the flames.

(Left in picture below)

11 – 17 years: Pippa who illustrated‘A night under Matariki’

To me, Matariki means spending time with my family, enjoying hot chocolates around a campfire, under the stars.

(Right in picture below)

18+: Zoe who illustrated ‘Te tiki, te tūrama me Kotahitanga – The tiki, the light and unity’
This is a representation of what Matariki means to me as a young Māori wahine living in 2024. The main koro represents the dark history our tupuna faced, where being Māori wasn’t something to be proud of, it was something we kept quiet. As a nation we didn’t celebrate our culture or our own identity. The pink represents how far we have come, the light that is now been shone and the unity we as a nation have regarding Māori culture. The yellow represents each new sunrise, an opportunity for growth. The teal represents Papatuanuku, which provides us with fertile soil to grow. The blue represents Te Moana, where we gather seafood. There are 9 teal clusters of wool surrounding the grey koro which represents the stars of Matariki. You see Matariki is far more than a public holiday or stars in the sky. Matariki in 2024 is about unity and light, it’s about collective identity and our growth as a country. It’s a time we celebrate how far we have come, it’s a place of education and shared knowledge.

(Middle in picture below)

Kahika Choice (Mayor Choice) winners were:

5 – 10 years: Moale illustrated ‘Matariki’
Story – Night Sky and rakaunui marama  
(Middle in picture below)

11 – 17 years: Stella illustrated ‘The Messenger’
My piece is about how we fly kites during Matariki to connect the heavens and the earth, and also to send and receive messages.

(Left in picture below)

18+: Jessie illustrated ‘Papatuanuku & Matariki’
To me Matariki means new beginnings and new growth. So here I have depicted my vision of Papatuanuku (our earth mother) under the stars of Matariki with a sprig of kowhai representing new growth.

(Right in picture below)

Congratulations to all participants for their beautiful and meaningful works!