Desire Manu-Mataese and Luseane Malloch have both been selected as finalists with their photographic works for the NZQA Ringa Toi National exhibition in Wellington.

Ringa Toi is a NZQA exhibition that celebrates excellence in Māori and Pasifika art for Levels 1, 2 and 3. The selection process involves the students mahi toi being sent in digital form with a desciption of the meaning behind the works and what inspired them.

We are pleased to announce that Desire Manu-Mataese and Luseane Malloch's photographic works have both been selected as finalists for this prestigious award.

Artist Michel Tuffery will be judging the Pasifika artworks this year.

Desire entered her photographic work titled 'Samoan Princess'

The description of the work is: I am proud of my whakapapa and the Māori artists and speakers around me who inspire me to do well.  This artwork uses whakairo and kōwhaiwhai to explore stories and history related to my whānau and marae.  The mangopare design represents strength and power, while the pātiki kōwhaiwhai symbolises hospitality.  I have also used the pātiki design because it is the main tukutuku pattern that adorns my marae wharenui.

I am proud to be a Tama'ita'i Samoa, being given an opportunity to showcase my culture, my identity, and generations of passed on traditions. In this photograph my cousin is dressed in tradition attire of a Taupou. A Taupou is Samoan Princess, and I have used this as an opportunity to showcase the beauty's of the Samoan culture.

Luseane entered her photographic work titled 'One with the Culture'

The description of the work is: 'I am proud of my whakapapa and the Māori artists and speakers around me who inspire me to do well.  This artwork uses whakairo and kōwhaiwhai to explore stories and history related to my whānau and marae.  The mangopare design represents strength and power, while the pātiki kōwhaiwhai symbolises hospitality.  I have also used the pātiki design because it is the main tukutuku pattern that adorns my marae wharenui.

I am a very proud Tongan and mixed European Student who finds a sense of belonging through my culture. I decided to wrap my model (Faith Falefata) around a Ngatu (Tapa cloth) to showcase how the culture and land is one with Pacific people.

Well done to Desire and Luseane and all the best with the judging.