Very high calibre of art entries

Continued from page 1 opening night and can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite. co.nz/e/artstart-2023-exhibitionopening-night-poneke-wellington-tickets-616186920667.

Aged 15 years, Keighan is the youngest of the five finalists. The other four are aged 18 years.

The calibre of entries in the competition “has blown us away,” the co-founders of the event Charlotte Sherratt and Sophie Paterson say.

“This year’s judging panel had a challenging time narrowing down the top five works,” they say.

The panel consisted of four local industry experts: Ana Sciascia, Director at P taka Art and Museum; Chelsea Nichols, Senior Curator at The Dowse Art Museum and two local practising artists – Mica Still and Lucy Tyndall.

There is no charge for entry to the exhibition itself, which has the main aim of providing support for rangatahi into creative careers in Aotearoa. It is open from 10am to 6pm each day.

It will feature art works of students from Wainuiomata High School, Wellington College, Wellington High School, Wellington Girls College, Samuel Marsden Collegiate, Whitby Collegiate, Aotea College, Hutt Valley High School and St Orans College.

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One of the top five artists will be selected for a scholarship award, which will be announced at the exhibition’s opening night on 23 June.

Tickets are available for the

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Keighan Silvester studies in Te Kura Matua o Wainuiomata at Wainuiomata High School.

His winning work is entitled Haumie Tiketike/Rongom t ne and is a digital illustration.

Government delivers 1,800 more Police

By Frank Neill

Hutt South MP Ginny Andersen has welcomed the government reaching its target of 1,800 more frontline Police.

The target was reached on 1 June when 62 new officers graduated from the Police College at a ceremony in Te Rauparaha Arena.

As Minister of Police, Ms Adnersen was among the attendees at the ceremony.

“This government set out to deliver 1,800 more Police, and today we’ve done that,” Ms Andersen said.

“What we’ve achieved today is the biggest ever Government commitment to an increase in Police numbers in history, and we’re proud to stand alongside them to celebrate this historic achievement. “Delivering on our promise means every Policing district in New Zealand is better resourced than they were five and half years ago – and there’s more we want to do yet.”

With the addition of 1,800 extra Police, funding announced in Budget 2023 “will ensure there is one officer for every 480 New Zealanders, compared with one for every 544 New Zealanders in 2017.

“This commitment to properly resourcing our police is a vital component in tackling crime, including retail, youth and violent crime,” Ms Andersen said.

“We’ve also invested in the fight against organised crime and gangs. Due to our investment to grow Police numbers we will reach 700 new staff dedicated to combatting organised crime.”

“I know this sustained support makes a difference.

“I worked in Police for a decade and it was clear to everyone that you can’t cut and fudge your way to improved outcomes when it comes to law and order, no matter how you try to dress it up,” Ms Andersen said.

The Board will be meeting on Wednesday 21 June 2023 6:30pm, Room 1, in the