South Auckland’s tamariki have been lauded for their eco-friendly art at a prizegiving on Saturday, winning $2,550 in cash prizes and art supply vouchers for their schools.
The annual Eye on Nature Creative Arts competition, hosted by the Beautification Trust, invites kindergarten and primary school students to create original artwork using sustainable materials and re-purposed waste.
“It’s all about teaching tamariki to love the environment and live more sustainably in a fun and creative way,” says Beautification Trust Community Manager, Dawn Crispe.
Anaiya Rasool, Nina Prabhash, Danika Van Zyl and Jade Poki from Hingaia Peninsula School won the first place in the primary category with their artwork, ‘Eyes on Earth’. The bold artwork depicts two possible futures through tamariki’s eyes; one full of pollution and waste and the over with fertile soil and clean drinking water.
KiNZ Mission Heights’ tamariki won first place in the kindergarten category with their artwork, ‘He Māra Kai (The Food Garden)’. Made from natural and compostable materials, the artwork showcases the symbiotic relationships between plants, animals, fungi and humans.
All the unique entries will be on display at a free exhibition at the Auckland Botanic Gardens during the October school holidays, where the public can vote on their favourites for the People’s Choice Award.
Tamariki were challenged to create their eco-friendly masterpieces around the theme; ‘Incredible Kai’; exploring the food cycle and how it impacts the environment.
“Reducing and diverting food waste from landfill and lowering the environmental impact of food production are vital parts of solving the climate crisis,” says Crispe.
The Beautification Trust hosts the annual event as part of its award-winning children's environmental education programme, Eye on Nature. The event is sponsored by Auckland Council and the six southern local boards.
Kindergarten winners:
1st place, $500 prize: KiNZ Mission Heights, ‘He Māra Kai’
2nd place, $250 prize: Hillpark Kindergarten, ‘Life Cycle of Incredible Kai’
3rd place, $100 prize: Barnardos Manurewa, ‘Māra Kai’
Merit prize: Cascades Kindergarten, ‘Cascades Pātaka Kai’
Primary school winners:
1st place, $750 prize: Anaiya Rasool, Nina Prabhash, Danika Van Zyl and Jade Poki, Hingaia Peninsula School, ‘Eyes on Earth’
2nd place, $500 prize: Karissa Sakalia-Ianusi, St. Anne's Catholic School, ‘Marae Kai’
3rd place, $250 prize: Anastasia Vise Tuivaiave, St. Anne's Catholic School, ‘Rongo-ma-tane’
Merit prize: Katarina Yavala and Annie Arona, St. Anne's Catholic School, ‘Yummy Hangi’
