Just in time for a school holiday project - categories are now out for our 2023 show in September.

Categories are:

Years 1- 6 :    Aotearoa - Flora and Fauna

Years 7- 9 :    Open or Iconic Kiwi Places and Objects

Years 10-13 : Open or NZ Innovators and Innovation

ADULTS :  Open or Kiwiana - what it means to be Kiwi

For students, please note that there is a Lunchtime Club for Wearable Arts - see Mrs Ramsay-Lawson in Textiles.

A fuller explanation of the categories:

Years 1-6 - Aotearoa - Flora and Fauna  

(Plants and animals)

We want you to get creative with our flora and fauna. You could become one of  New Zealand's beautiful flora or fauna or, create your entry from using the flora or fauna as part of your creation.

Components made from NZ flora and fauna (plants and animals) eg, ferns, flax, pohutukawa, kowhai, native trees, sheep (wool), cows (cowhide), glow worms, kiwi and other native birds  etc.

Years 7 - 9 : 

OPEN or Iconic Kiwi Places or Objects

Open - This category gives the designer  complete freedom in concept of design and construction of materials.  So, go wild with your imagination - no limits on what you can make, or what you make it out of.

Iconic Kiwi Places and Objects  - We are looking for creativity based around iconic Kiwi places and objects (Kiwiana).  Objects that are quintessentially Kiwi that have recognition both here in NZ and around the world.  Often items are argued about in regards to their origin, are they really from places like Australia or were they simply stolen from the New Zealand identity?

Famous landmarks - Pancake Rocks, Glow worm tunnels/caves, boulders, Queenstown, the Southern Alps, Rotorua and the mud and thermal pools, FOUR square man, buzzy bee, pavlova, kiwifruit, jandals and more. 

The options are endless when you start to think about what the world and New Zealand views as the iconic representation of our beautiful country.

Years 10 - 13 : 

OPEN or NZ Innovators and Innovation

Open - This category gives the designer complete freedom in concept of design and construction of materials. So, go wild with your imagination - no limits on what you can make, or what you make it out of.

NZ Innovators and Innovation - Can you be influenced by people who have made a mark on the world from New Zealand, such as Dick Smith (Electronics) Michael Hill (Jewellery), Sir Edmund Hillary (Adventurist/Climber) and Ernest Rutherford (Scientist - discovery of radioactivity).

Innovations such as the iconic No.8 wire, jandals, pavlova, and lesser known inventions from NZers like the egg beater, bungy cord, Jetpack, referee's whistle, zorb, Hamilton Jet engine, disposable syringes and many more.

ADULTS :  

OPEN or  Kiwiana - what it means to be Kiwi

Open:  This category gives the designer complete freedom in concept of design and construction of materials. So, go wild with your imagination - no limits on what you can make, or what you make it out of.

Kiwiana - This year we are seeking creatively designed pieces using the overarching theme of Kiwiana.  We are wanting you to make something that screams New Zealand, something that anyone from anywhere in the world can say "Oh, that's from New Zealand".  You can take ideas from flora, fauna, food, cultural influences, our own unique Maori culture, famous or influential New Zealanders, or items that are quintessentially Kiwi.  

Any further questions you may have, please email Northcanterburywearablearts@gmail.com  

or phone Jane on 021 073 5844.

Below in the gallery are a number of our past entries.