Kids Sparkle at Manukau's Matariki Week Competitions

Over 400 children, young people and parents from across Manukau came together at the Manukau Libraries Matariki Week Art & Writing Prizegiving.

Held on Friday 25 July at the MIT Marae in Otara, the prizegiving was the culmination of Matariki Week events celebrated at Manukau libraries from 30 June to 4 July. Library goers throughout the city were treated to a host of guest speakers and demonstrations.

"Matariki Week is the traditional way of celebrating the knowledge of the Maori world," says Jock Walker, Maori Advisor - Manukau Libraries. "What we are trying to do is introduce to both children and adults the different elements of Matariki, and it's place in Maori culture.

"Ultimately the library is a starting point for anyone wanting to find out about Matariki Week, Maori culture or trying to trace their whakapapa. Celebrating Matariki Week in the libraries introduces people to the various Maori resources and services available to them at their local library."

The Matariki Week Art & Writing competition aims to encourage young people to think about what Matariki means to them and express it in art, or in writing. Written entries can be in Maori or English. Categories range from a preschool colouring competition up to a secondary school art competition.

"The quality of both the written pieces and the artwork was exceptional," says Mr Walker. "We also had a record number of entries received - 936 entries from children and young people from all parts of Manukau. Over 1000 people attended the various workshops running during Matariki Week."

Celebrating Matariki Week in libraries is part of Manukau Libraries Maori Services Strategy and also results from the recommendations of a survey conducted in 2001. The findings stated that Mäori in Manukau City would visit libraries more often if Mäori speakers were promoted more in the libraries doing sessions on storytelling, whakapapa, graphic art, carving, weaving and Mäori designs.

ENDS

Matariki Prize winners 2003- Colouring Competition

Colouring In Competition - ages 0-5

Place Name 1st Jessehang Ung - Leabank Primary - 5yrs 2nd Nesta Puhipi-Hibbs - Leabank Primary - 5yrs 3rd Sofia Reps - Bucklands Beach Primary - 5yrs

Colouring In Competition - ages 6-8

Place Name 1st Missie Puaha - Wiri Central - 8yrs 2nd Wesley Heath - Sunnyhills School - 7yrs 3rd Johnathan King - Cockle Bay Primary - 6yrs

Colouring In Competition 9-12

Place Name 1st Elaine Ladd - Pakuranga Intermediate - 12 yrs 2nd Wei-Gin Poon - Pakuranga Intermediate - 12 yrs 3rd Hinehapainga Rameka-Katterns- Te Kura O Nga Tapuwae - 9yrs

Matariki Prizewinners 2003 - Writing

Writing Competition - ages 5-8

Place Name 1st Ngarina Wong - Mangere East Primary - 8yrs 2nd Kaylarose Rapana Jean Batten School - 8yrs 3rd Victoria Griffin - Cockle Bay Primary - 7yrs

Writing Competition - ages 9-12

Place Name 1st Bishop Thompson - Clendon Park Primary - 9yrs? 2nd Kohehohe Pihama - Te Kura Maori o Nga Tapuwae - 11yrs 3rd Kere Thompson - Clendon Park Primary - 9yrs?

Writing Competition - ages 13-18

1st Courtney Brown - James Cook High - 15yrs 2nd Nicole Brown - Tangaroa College - 16 yrs 3rd Leshonaire Akarana - Tangaroa College - 15yrs

Matariki Prizewinners 2003 - Art

Art Competition - ages 5-8

1st Loren Abel - Cockle Bay Primary - 6 yrs 2nd Rachel Smith - Cockle Bay Primary - 6 yrs 3rd Pa Maihia - East Tamaki Primary - 7 yrs Special Award Te Kotoku Whare Matauranga - Te Kohanga Reo

Art Competition - ages 9-12

1st Chaz Reid - Mangere East Primary 10yrs 2nd Toni Ann Tapu Mangere East Primary 10Yrs 3rd Tama Matenga Jean Batten School 10yrs

Art Competition - ages 13-18

1st Halen Schuster, Brenda Amaru and Chalice Tapa - James Cook High - 13 yrs 2nd Tangara Aperahama - Tangaroa College - 17yrs 3rd Tess Diaz, Samantha Murray, Phyllis Mark- McClutchie James Cook High - 13 yrs

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