Extended: Waikārapi design competition for rangatahi

About the competition

The theme for entries is: “Waikārapi (Wairau Lagoons): our natural resources”. Show us your vision of how our natural resources have sustained our communities, and continue to do so.

Prezzy card prizes for 1st/2nd & 3rd in each age category.

Both physical and digital entries are welcome, and entries must be in by 9 January. 

• Your artwork will help bring our construction site to life. We are building new homes, sections, and a playground + park at Waikarapi (located at 46 & 48 Hospital Road, in Witherlea).
• The winning art will be displayed on a construction fence going around the park reserve, with the youth artist provided a prezzy card prize (presented on the open day).
• The theme for entries is: "Waikārapi (Wairau Lagoons): our natural resources".
• Show us your vision of how our natural resources have sustained our communities, and continue to do so.

What you can win: 

• Bragging rights: winning mahi will be enlarged and printed onto the construction fencing (in place around the park reserve until completed). The winning art will be up for the whole town to see, including during our community open day.
• Prezzy card prizes for 1* ($200), 2*d ($100) & 3rd ($50) in each age category of: junior (yrs 0-6), intermediate (yrs 7&8) + senior (yrs 9-13) + certificate.

How to enter:

1. This art competition is open to all Marlborough rangatahi (youth).
2. Create your own artwork on A3 landscape paper (or sized to A3 landscape).
3. You may submit more than one entry.
4. Entry deadline: Friday 9 January 2026
5. Physical entries: Please drop your entry to either -
   a. Rangitāne House: Level 5, 2 Main Street; or
   b. Te Whare Tokomaru (Tauwhiro café or reception): 65 Scott Street; or
6. Digital entries: please send to sales@waikarapi.nz
7. Please include your name, age and contact details with each art entry.

Judging & reveal:

• Entries judged by iwi and project representatives
• Winners will be revealed on the construction site fencing around the playground and park at the official community opening day for Waikārapi, on Sunday 1 February 2025 (postponement date will be advised if required).
• Email sales@waikarapi.nz  for further information.
• Contact information is strictly only for the purposes of notifying winners and distributing prizes. 
• By entering this competition, caregivers agree that Waikārapi may use the child's first name in competition updates- including social media, the website, and newsletters. 
• All entries must be original work.