Stars in their eyes: local schools combine

what they’re carving is their favourite part of the experience

Bayswater School has started a peninsula initiative to create a multi-piece artwork to be displayed at its Matariki Festival in June.

Seven local schools have been tasked with carving either one or two panels, which will make up a 10-piece artwork telling the story of Matariki.

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The panels will be displayed under classroom awnings, so festival goers can walk through the story from Te Kore/the void to the separation of Papatūānuku and Ranginui and on to what Matariki means today.

Once carved, the polystyrene panels will be painted with UV paints and covered in a protective coat of resin to stand the test of time.

UV paints were chosen so the panels glow like stars. The polystyrene is easier for children to work with than wood.

Master carver Natanahira Pona designed the panels and toured local schools last term teaching students how to carve.

But he told the Flagstaff the credit should go to the students.

“It’s not about me, it’s about them, the students; they’re the artists.”

The other schools working on the artworks are Belmont Intermediate School, Belmont Primary School, Devonport Primary School, Hauraki School, St Leo’s Catholic School and Stanley Bay School.